Holding Out for a Hero

Photo courtesy of rjmobilityservice.com

Oh, how we long for a hero--a person whom we can put up on a pedestal to look up to and emulate.  We do it as a society, with the British royalty and Hollywood celebrities.  We do it in our relationships as sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, spouses, siblings, and friends.  And, we do it as a Church.

I cannot tell you how many Bible resources, devotionals, prayer books, and children's books I have come across that point to a character from the Bible and in so many words tell us to "BE LIKE THIS."

Have faith, like Abraham
Have integrity, like Daniel.
Be willing to stand up for God, like David.
Be content in any situation, like Paul.
Be willing to forgive, like Joseph.

And on, and on, and on it goes.

But when I saw this quote on my Facebook feed from Paul David Tripp the other day, I did a little happy dance around my house, jumped up and down (note to self: do more Kegel exercises!), and just HAD to share it with you, dear friend, because he.gets.it like so few do...

"There are only 3 heroes in the Bible, and they operate as One. Every other 'biblical hero' had flaws and needed grace just like you." 

So, let's not fall short of the full gospel truth and try to make "heroes" out of the ordinary, albeit grace-covered men and women found within the pages of Scripture.  For there is but ONE hero in the Bible, and that is the Almighty Triune God who gives us the power and the grace we need to live faithful, obedient, content lives of integrity for Him and for His glory.

"Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and 

may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless 

at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it." 

1 Thess 5:23-24 (emphasis mine)