It’s been driving me ever since I was a little boy. I would wake up and wonder who I would be that day—a super hero like Spiderman, a ninja turtle like Leonardo, or a brave warrior like He-Man. Even then, I aspired to power and greatness.
It’s not so different when a boy becomes a man. But, the heroes move from cartoons to Hollywood. Now, I wonder who I am becoming—a suave ladies man like James Bond, a wise jedi master like Yoda, or a cunning secret agent like Jack Bauer. Something in me now—I want to be more than great. I want to be glorious.
I often transfer that into my Christian life. There is the power and promise of faith—that it can move mountains, give feet like a deer, grow wings like an eagle, stop the mouth of lions, quench the power of fire, put whole armies to flight. My heart says, “Sign me up.”
There are men in the Bible whose legacies I admire greatly. One of them is Moses. Sure, he had his insecurities about leading people, such as a fear of public speaking. And he had a temper. He murdered an Egyptian for mistreating his people and tried to cover it up (Exodus 2). But in the end, what defined him as a prophet was this: he was a humble man who spoke to God face to face (Deut 34; cf. Num 12:3)
Another is David. Yes, he was at first overlooked because of his size and humble beginnings, and he had family issues throughout his life. Plus, his passion got him into trouble. He conspired to kill the husband of the woman he desired (2 Samuel 11). But in the end, what defined him as a king was this: he was a man after God’s heart (1 Sam 13:14; cf. Acts 13:22).
I want to be a Moses or a David (as I see them). I want to go when God says go. I want to fight when God says fight. I want to lead masses, to conquer armies, to be great and powerful, to do untold signs and wonders.
That, in my mind, is the stuff of heroes.
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But, as I come to see myself rightly, I have more and more realized that if I am to be a hero, I am more a hero like...Lot, Gideon, or Jonah.
Sure, he had that one moment where, with focused determination, he ran out of that city, never to look back. But…there is a “but” here. Look at Genesis 19:16 – “But he lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city.” Did you see that?
This is the truth behind Lot: “But he lingered.”
Gideon was deemed a mighty warrior (Judges 6:12). But his reign is riddled with excuse-making, doubting, and sign-seeking. He refuses to fight any battles unless the Lord, through repeated signs, guarantees him victory. He finally defeats the enemies of Israel without, only to leave the nation worshipping idols within.
Yes, he had that day when he led a group of 300 with nothing more than jars and torches to defeat a greater army. But before that…there is another “but.” Look at Judges 6:27 – “So Gideon took ten men of his servants and did as the Lord had told him. But because he was too afraid of his family and the men of the town to do it by day, he did it by night.” Did you hear that?
This is the truth behind Gideon: “But he was too afraid.”
Jonah was counted a great preacher (Jonah 1:1). But his legacy is marked my running, arguing, and self-seeking. The Lord tells him to preach to Nineveh. Jonah has other plans and runs the other direction. After storms and whales and repentance, he does his job and awaits their demise. Though they turn from wickedness, the book ends with him pouting on a cliff, hoping for God to change his mind and destroy them anyway.
True, his preaching was so mighty and effective than an entire city turned to the Lord. But…there’s that “but again.” What if it were up to his choice? Look at Jonah 1:3 – “But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.” Did you notice that?
This is the truth behind Jonah: “But he rose to flee.”
How can it be that men like Lot, Gideon, or Jonah have found their names on the roll call of the faithful (Hebrews 11)? Some have even called them heroes. Heroes? Really?! They are conflicted. They never fully overcome their personal issues. Their stories don’t end with a hero’s song or an epic poem. They seem so messy and frail and…human.
Yet, in truth, we must remember what they are heroes of—faith. And who is that faith in? A Great God who wants to display his power, to showcase his grace and mercy. They are his trophies. And it is our faith in that same God that gives us the hope of His glory.
I relate to Lot, Gideon, and Jonah. I am the man who lingers. I am the man too afraid. I am the man who rises to flee. But there is more than the sinful “truth behind me.” My legacy will not be determined by my failures, but by faith counted as righteousness.
Moreover, God has chosen me and you, not because we are made of the stuff of heroes. But because we are weak and powerless, unable to do what he is asking. He has decided to show Himself through our lives. He will grab us by the hand, like Lot. He will give us the assurance we need, like Gideon. He will use us despite us, like Jonah.
The greatest hero who ever lived and will live is Jesus. He is mighty to save. He can use us as the poor, the lame, the leper, and the prostitute to do great things. Not because of who we are. For, it is no longer us who live, but Him who lives in us! Even the faith I have in Him is a gift. It was given…so that I have no reason to boast.
Here is the truth behind Him: “But God rich in mercy…” (Ephesians 2). And in that, we now possess this: “Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim” (Col 1:27-28).
