We can be Heroes?

What is your definition of a hero? In a recent SMH article, the top five most unlikely Australian sporting heroes were unveiled. Of course, topping the list was poor Steven Bradbury, who medalled after everyone in front of him fell over on the last bend in the speed skating. What is interesting is not so much that he was an unlikely hero – which is an unfair tag, given the elite ability and training required to even appear in the race. What is interesting is the assumption that gold medal = hero. Flicking through the papers, heros are apparently much more likely to be of the sporting variety than any other. What is it that makes a hero, then? In Hebrews 11 we have a long list of the “heroes of the faith” – men and women who performed great feats. But the list comes in answer to the question of what faith is – it is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see. These heroes aren’t so-tagged for their accomplishments, of which some are impressive, and others seem like inglorious hardship. They are heroes because they persevered in faith, even to the point of death. In biblical terms, faith is the measure of a hero, not their accomplishments.