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True Heroes

    First of all, it’s nice to be back…we have had phone line and computer problems.  I am sorry it has been so long for a devotional.  Thanks to Greg Wrenn who got things going again.

    I recently had the humble privilege of speaking at a Veteran’s Day assembly at a local school.  I say humble because I have no idea what our Veteran’s have gone through as they have protected our country.  The closest I have ever come to a battlefield is on Friday nights on the football field and that is certainly no comparison.  I have simply been a recipient of all the blessings their sacrifices have provided to me and my family and friends.  How very small my words seemed in the light of their actions.

    America seems to be a society of heroes and we have attached a rather amazing list of criteria to reach that status.  It seems if you can hit a baseball a long way, if you are very fast with the football or you can slam dunk a basketball, you can be a hero.  If you can sing good or star in a movie where you pretend to be someone else, you may also find yourself to be a hero to many.  I have certainly had my share of heroes in my life, most of who came from the above situation.

    I think however a hero in the true sense of the word has nothing to do with personal achievement or talent.  Real heroes sacrifice for others…they give their life to a cause that brings about a common good and their motive is much deeper than money or fame.  Real heroes are the ones who were sitting in the middle of the gym during that Veteran’s Day assembly…those men and women who made sure the rest of us have a chance to be happy and free.  It is because of our Veteran’s, we can go watch our sporting events, attend concerts and go to movies where we applaud our “other” heroes.

    Heroes make sacrifices.  And the greatest sacrifice ever made was Jesus dying for me on the cross.  He is our ultimate hero.  He has made it possible for us to live…to be free…to have peace and joy…to be able to love. 

    Today I watched a Veteran’s Day parade.  The crowd was rather sparse.  It was rainy weather, but how often will we sit in the rain to watch our “other” heroes perform.  Let’s pray for America …that all of us will realize where the sacrifices have been made by the true heroes of our lives…on the battlefield…and on the cross.

In Christ,

Billy

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