Graduates...Go Be a Hero!

Inside each one of us is a hero. One who will persevere in difficult times. One who will lift others up when they are down on themselves. One who has a passion to see that companies or communities change because of a vision they possess.

Heroes aren't determined by the superficial qualities one possesses, but thy the qualities that make up the character of the individual

A few years ago I was given the privilege to address a group of graduating seniors. I not only wondered who would be the heroes that emerged out of that class, but in what ways they would become heroic.

The spiritual message was couched around part of the story of Moses. Most know that Moses parted the Red Sea, through God's supernatural intervention, to give the Israelites a way of escaping from the Egyptian army. However, some may not know that Moses did not originally desire to be their leader. When God approached Moses at the burning bush and told him he was going to lead the people of Israel out of bondage, Moses felt afraid and incapable.

Though Moses made excuses and saw the task before him as seemingly impossible, he still emerged as a hero. He had the privilege of leading as man as 2 million people out of bondage and into freedom.

We all have opportunities to "lead" others, which may cause us to make excuses, just like Moses. We might think, "I'm not good enough" or "no one ever listens to me."

However, making excuses only prevents us from becoming the hero that we're given the opportunity to be.

As you think about what you can become, whether you are a graduate or not, how will you be a hero to the people you come in contact with? You have the power to decide.

Decide to be a hero!

The Perfect Hero

Why is it that heroes and role models inevitably seem to not be able to live up to their responsibilities?  One could argue that "they are just human".  Another argument could be that they are under so much pressure that they will probably crack, eventually.  Whatever the argument it seems that as long as people rise, they tend to fall.  I am not going to generalize, but the couple that I am going to focus on is athletes.

A few months ago a well-known athlete had a car accident.  He had been out that night, under the influence, and lost control, causing him to wreck his car.  That well-known athlete has set all kinds of records and has gained the attention and fan base of thousands, maybe millions.  His name, Tiger Woods.  He has wowed people since he stepped into the spotlight, including me.  He's come back from final-round deficits to make people's jaws drop.  He's overcome injuries.  He was sponsored by a lot of major companies.  However, after the night of his crash it was more than his car that crashed.  His past came out and his infidelity quickly rose to the surface.  His life has come crashing down.  He may have his talent, but because of his choices, he will have a heavy load to carry around.  This heavy load is something that he brought on himself.  Maybe you, too, have brought about something like this in your life.  Have you "crashed" in life?  Made choices you regretted?  Most all of us have and the best thing is that there's hope.

Then, there is a guy that is known by the number "70", not because of his jersey, but because of the feat that he accomplished.  Others may call him "Mac".  He was very well-known in Oakland and St. Louis. He was one that I enjoyed imitating when I stepped up to the plate.  He was able to crush the baseball.  He had huge forearms and a seemingly effortless swing.  He is Mark McGwire.  He came on the scene when he played for the Oakland A's.  He brought life into those green and yellow uniforms. He, along with Jose Conseco and Ricky Henderson, made that era of the A's a force to be reckoned with.  Later, he went to the St. Louis Cardinals. A few years ago, he was brought before people to be questioned on use of steroids.  "No" was his answer, under oath.  Trying to escape trouble.  Now, he admits to using the drugs. He says that using them was a "mistake".  He says that hitting the home runs were no reflection of the steroids.  That argument I understand because steroids will not cause someone to connect with the ball better. However, he made the choice to put the drugs into his body.  He was educated, sometime in his life, as to the effects that would be as a result of the use of steroids.  Also, Major League Baseball does not allow the use of sports enhancing drugs, such as steroids, to be used. Drugs are often used to "escape reality".  The escape is brief, to say the least.  Steroids must be continually used to make sure they have the same affect. Were the pressures of major league baseball too high for Mr. McGwire?  Did the people expect more than what they saw?

These two men are not alone in their mistakes, they are just recent. I could have used men in a different profession or women of various professions.  These men are human, not "just" human, as to water down their offense.  Humans make mistakes.  You also are not alone in the mistakes you've made. However, that doesn't excuse your mistakes, just like it doesn't excuse their mistakes. We all fail, but we're not failures.

There is one role model and hero that made no mistakes.  He was in the spotlight.  He was tempted. He was under constant pressure. He made it out clean. You probably know Him.  His name is Jesus.  It may seem obvious to conclude by talking about Him, but some may not realize how He stood the tests without giving in.  When I'm looking for a good role model, I want someone who I can know will not make a mistake.  I want someone my kids can look to for an example.  Whether we've failed, stumbled, or given up, there's always someone left to emulate, that's Him.  He's the example for resisting pressure (Hebrews 4:15) and for giving up your life for others (John 15:13).

Though I'm guilty of messing up in life, He's not. May we see the reality of looking to Jesus for everyday life, not just on "church" days.





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Be a Hero

We all have heroes. Could be a parent, a friend, just someone you admire who you don't really know, or a fantasy super hero. Heroes of the movies are written. Whether they can defy gravity or say the most romantic words, they are generally not realistic.

It doesn't take flying or romance to indicate a hero. A hero is someone who does something heroic (pretty profound, huh?). Seriously, a hero does things that we haven't tried or even thought of. With any sort of trying there is the chance of failing, which usually happens. However, getting to the end is like maneuvering through a maze. There will be some dead ends, but you can simply back up and learn from that. When you make it to the end, you've accomplished your goal. This accomplishment may be the defining factor to what makes you a hero to some.

Moses was a hero. Moses did things that others wouldn't do. He stuck up for the Israelites, he spoke to the Pharaoh, he rescued the people from slavery, and he dealt with all the griping and murmuring of the people during the exodus.

Yesterday, we looked at Moses and the idea that he was a hero. Here are some applications to choose from this week to use...

1. Understand Where You Are - Moses heard the voice coming from the inconsumable burning bush. God spoke to him and Moses replied, "Here I am". Moses was just out tending to his father-in-law's flock. Not doing anything wrong or out of the ordinary. So, where are you or what are you doing? God will speak to you, and maybe has been trying, while you are where you are at for the sake of being used by Him...Listen for Him!
2. Lots of Crying People - God's people had been crying out while in slavery. There are lots and lots of people out there that are crying out to be released from some type of slavery (probably figurative). Do what you can to rescue them and to be their hero!
3. Excuses Don't Excuse - Moses made excuses as to why he didn't want to do what God was telling him to do. However, the excuses didn't allow for Moses to be excused from his task. God is calling all of us to do things and all the excuses we come up with are not going to excuse us from the responsibility of accomplishing the task.
4. Be Heroic - Do something to make a difference in people's lives, in your community (maybe by joining a community group), in your family (parents can be wonderful heroes), in your church, or in some other area that needs your talents and passions!
   

God does amazing things with people. Just this weekend was an example of God placing me in different places. Throughout graduation weekend, I was involved with lots of people and it was awesome to team up with God to sow seed for His kingdom!

The neat thing about most heroes is they do not know they are heroes. They may have smiled at someone one day and that prevented them from ruining their day or it could have even saved their life, literally. Or, they could have sent a card at just the right time when they needed it most, and didn't even know that was the "right time".

Do something that makes a difference...Be a Hero!

E-mail Encouragement: Making a Courageous Decision

Christmas is over and that means 2008 is just around the corner. Are you one who makes a resolution? Have you ever been able to keep any? Are you making any for next year? What was your favorite thing you received?

I enjoy "feel good" movies. In each "feel good" movie, there is a point at which the "hero" or "heroes" do something which turns the tide for the rest of the film. The result is the success that makes the movie identified as "feel good". Each of us live a "movie"...what will you do to turn the tide? This brings us to this week's quote...

In every success story, you find someone who has made a courageous decision. ~ Peter F. Drucker

I am greatly affected by teachers/coaches/leaders that do things to impact others. The quote holds true to most movies that fall into this category. There is a point in the movie which a character will do something that seems crazy, but in fact, is very courageous. No one has done anything like "that" before (whatever the task in the particular movie) and it makes a world of difference.

We have opportunities given to us each day, maybe each moment, to make an impact in someone else's life. Whether it is your spouse, family member, co-worker, peer, friend, or anyone else you're around.

As 2008 approaches, what will you do with the opportunities God gives you to make a "courageous decision" and create your "success" story? May you use the opportunities given to share Jesus in practical ways!

Blessings ~