What are the qualities of a hero? What classifies a person as a martyr? The dictionary defines a hero as “a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.” It describes a martyr as some who “who is killed because of their religious or other beliefs.” Here in America, we create our heroes from people who have personas, wealth, and tragedy. And we are not too picky in our choosing either, for in a moment of poor decisions and dreadful actions any situation can form a hero or martyr for us.
Since these are the individuals we use to model our own behaviors from and hold them up in a place of honor for our children, along with building our social beliefs and actions around, I think a set of guidelines should be followed. I am the first one to tell you that my own life is not one to emulate, honor, or even notice. My rocky path has been fraught with bad decisions and a huge learning curve. I did not come to know Jesus as my Lord and Savior until my children came along. Oh, as a child I longed for Him, I knew He was there and deep in my young heart was love and kindness. But my family was a more of a hit or miss type of Christianity, with more misses than hits.
Before I go on, I want to tell you a bible verse which if you read it each day, it will help you to move on from your destructive or cursed past and move forward into the path God has prepared for you. I recently found it and it is becoming my daily mantra.
“Nevertheless, the Lord your God would not listen to Balaam, but the Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing for you because the Lord your God loves you.” Deuteronomy 23:5. And as a side note, Balaam was a sorcerer during early times. The sorcerer for you could be anyone who has done harm to your life. Always remember, the Lord your God loves you!
Moving on concerning choosing our heroes and martyrs. You know me, I found a bible verse that I believe is a great guideline for their selection. It comes from the Apostle Paul in Philippians where he is describing how they should live their lives as Christians.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything of worthy praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received, and heard, seen in me, practice these things and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9
The guidelines are that a person must be true, honorable, just, pure, lovely (kind), commendable in actions and beliefs, excellence, and is praiseworthy. And they must also put into their words, actions, and beliefs these qualities, not just one time or moment in their life but every day. Now I am not saying they must be these superhumans of biblical perfection, for they are fallen humans like you and me. But they strive to attain these qualities every day, even on the days they fall deep into the valley floor. Martin Luther King Jr is one of these individuals who comes to my mind and he had his human side too.
So before we take an individual and exalt them to the position of hero only because we so desperately need or desire one, step back, look at the whole picture and write the truth for history!
The Tent Maker Blog 