Heroes don't wear capes; Zeroes sometimes wear uniforms

“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” Joseph Campbell

  He was named after a preacher-evangelist, George W. Truett, and taught a teen boys’ Sunday School class for more than fifty years. He was married to his wife, Jeanette, for sixty-five years. He once wisely said, “I see no conflict whatsoever between Christianity and good business practices. People say you can’t mix business with religion. I say there’s no other way.  People appreciate you being consistent with your faith. It’s a silent witness to the Lord when people go into shopping malls, and everyone is bustling, and you see that Chick-fil-A is closed.”

  On September 8^th, an American hero died. Truett Cathy was the founder of the Chick-fil-A restaurants. One of my favorite Truett Cathy stories is from 2008. A pair of pre-teen girls broke into his vacation home in Florida, vandalized it and causing some thirty thousand dollars in damage. But it was the words they left behind that bothered Mr. Cathy the most. They had scribbled filthy language on the walls. But Mr. Cathy asked the police to not prosecute those young vandals. He feared a criminal record might tarnish their lives. So instead of jail, Mr. Cathy worked out a deal with their parents. The girls had to write, “I will not vandalize other people's property” 1,000 times, they were banned from watching TV and playing video games, and were to read a good book.

  There aren’t a lot of heroes in corporate America. It’s a sad day that there aren’t many on the world’s stage that you’d want to imitate or have your children imitate. There aren’t a lot of celebrities or professional athletes that are worthy of being followed, and are truly “heroes.” Just because someone can make a lot of money, throw a ball, has talent or is just very attractive – that doesn’t make them a hero. Those traits are “natural” and have nothing to do with character and who they really are.

  Over the past few weeks, we’ve watched the saga with Baltimore Raven’s running back, Ray Rice, unfold. Personally, I don’t believe that he ought to just be indefinitely suspended from play from the NFL, he ought to be banned for life and go to prison. If he wasn’t rich and famous, he would. And Raven fans could send a powerful message by bringing jerseys with his name on them down to the M & T Bank Stadium and burning them.

  Do I believe in forgiveness? Yes. But while God forgives, the courts of our land are to dispense out justice and have a responsibility to punish evildoers. Justice is to be blind and treat the famous, infamous and unknown the same.

  Ray Rice’s violent actions are irreprehensible and inexcusable. Just because you’re famous or have ability shouldn’t mean you get a pass. Too often there’s a double standard in our judicial system and even in the court of public opinion, just because someone is a “celebrity.” Too many professional athletes and celebrities are profligates and moral zeroes. They use their fame and money to take advantage of those who are less fortunate or who are enamored with their status. Too often, they’re not even nice, much less “heroes.”  

  Character, morality, selflessness and sacrifice are what make someone a “hero.” Even in the Church, we need to be careful that we don’t hold someone up as an model just because they’re rich or famous, or a talented musician or have a large church.

  Personally, I probably won’t get excited about the Brewers again until Ryan Braun has either been traded or retired. It wasn’t until he was caught the second time for doping that he finally came clean and apologized. Yet, Braun used his fame and ability to throw an innocent man, Dino Laurenzi, under the bus. Laurenzi became Public Enemy #1, even receiving death threats, just for doing his job and doing a drug test on Ryan Braun. But Braun ruined his life just because he could, to save his own skin and career.

  None of us can even begin to imagine the pressure professional athletes like Ryan Braun are under to perform and win. While he was wrong for doping, most of us can understand the pressure and caving to that temptation. But there is no justification for destroying someone else’s life when you know you’re guilty, just because you have the means to do it.

  As Christians, we need to be careful that we honor and commend those who meet the standards of a biblical worldview. Do we really want to emulate someone just because they have natural ability, even if they lack a moral compass or values? Is that what we want to hold up before our children as a “hero”? Are the abilities we most want our children to have – athletic, mental or even financial? Do we really want them to be popular? And at what cost? Will that help them please God and be godly? Will that help them be a better husband or wife? Will it help them be a better parent of our future grandchildren?

  Too often our conversations focus on what the Apostle Paul called “wood, hay, straw” (1 Corinthians 3:12) – stuff that’s just going to burn up in the real world. Instead we need to focus on that which has lasting and eternal value. We must be wise and careful when we talk about externals.  Sure, it’s fine to tell someone that they look nice. Isn’t it better though to tell someone that they acted nice? That they were kind and thoughtful? That they were Christlike even when they were mistreated?

  You get what you honor. Our temporal, fickle world is enamored with externalism. It worships at the altar of American idols. The Miley Cyruses, Lindsay Lohans, Justin Biebers and Macaulay Culkins are potent warnings that fame, wealth and talent are as lasting and satisfying as cotton candy.

  Do you want heroes for your children to emulate? Look to those who teach adult and children’s classes at Grace. Look at the ones who work in the nursery, or usher or are part of the worship team. You’ll find them serving the Lord at the AV table and other places, often behind the scenes.

  These godly heroes and heroines go to work every day, love their spouses and children, and most of all, they love Jesus! They’re not famous or even overly talented. They’re just seeking to be faithful in the place God has called them to and to serve the Lord with the abilities He’s given them. They’ll probably never make the local news or walk down a red carpet. No one asks for their autograph. But someday the One who sees all and knows all, will welcome them Home with, “Well done good and faithful servant!” Those are heroes. Sometimes you have to look for them but they’re there.

  Are you holding them up in front of your children as examples? Are you following them as they follow Jesus?