This is not a post to condemn him, though what he did is wrong, and I feel it is sad, not praiseworthy that anyone would decide to go against God's design. And it bothers me that a man could do such a thing.
But what bothers me more is the praise he is receiving. The president of our country called him courageous. He is being hailed as hero by many, and is to receive an award for courage. It is sad that our society would celebrate such a thing and call it courage or heroic. And somewhat laughable. How heroic or courageous is it to something that so many support and are celebrating?
Have we come to a place in America that our heroes are celebrities who come out as gay, lesbian, or transgender? Are we really attributing heroism to people for committing immoral acts, and going against what God has made?
This may sound weird, but I like superhero movies. Batman, Superman, the Green Lantern, etc. Men and women who have super abilities and use them to rescue people and fight evil and evil people. They are not real, and I don't sit around thinking about them all of the time, but I think they are cool. Most of us love a story of good versus evil when good wins.
But anymore, it is evil going against good and the evil actions are celebrated and cheered as they fight good, the Church, and God Himself.
Some look at sports figures and celebrities as heroes. Men and women who get paid sinful amounts of money to play a sport or pretend to be someone else......nah, nothing heroic here. Move along.
Hebrews 11 has a list of people we refer to as heroes of the faith. Moses, Abraham, Stephen, Paul, and many more. Our modern day heroes of sports figures, celebrities, and alternative lifestyles aren't even in the same universe as these heroes God has put high honor on.
Heroes are not people who forge ahead in sinful practices, or play and pretend for a living. Heroes are people who truly make a difference for good, who sacrifice, and don't seek to be called a hero.
So who do I think are heroes? Well, this is my opinion, and it is MY blog, so I shall list some:
1) Our military. We exist as a country and enjoy the freedoms we have because of men in uniform who have selflessly put on the uniform, left comfort and family behind, and have gone off to protect our country and fight in wars, willing to give their very lives if it came to that. That is a hero, not Tom Brady or Mark Walhburg.
2) Missionaries. For centuries, men and women have obeyed the call of God and gone to far lands to take the Gospel to those who have never heard. They have left family behind, some such as Jim Elliot paid with their lives to take Jesus to souls in darkness. Heroic? You bet.
3) Preachers. Again, men, and sometimes women, who have felt the call of God to preach and/or pastor. They often are not close to family, and have to depend on a congregation for their financial support. They put up with a lot, and are often unappreciated and too easily criticized by the very ones they are trying to minister to, yet they make a difference in many lives and have helped to bring countless souls to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. In the light of eternity, our shallow heroes won't be able to stand next to what they accomplished for the Kingdom of Heaven.
4) Parents. Not all parents are good and do right, but the world is full of those who do. Those who work, cook, clean house, and do all they can to support a family and love them.
5) Ex-gays. Some don't like the term, but it isn't easy to find a term for them. This is a group of men and women ignored by the media and liberal politicians, scorned by openly gay people, and often overlooked and feared by the church. They are those who are attracted to the same sex, know it is wrong, and want to live a life pleasing to God. So they forsake their attractions and desires and live what is an often difficult and lonely life, their eyes on Jesus and their desire to please Him stronger than any sexual desire ever known to man. Heroes indeed.
6) Foster and adoptive parents. I can't imagine raising someone else's kids, knowing any time they could be taken away and given back to their real parents. Some are in it for the money, but many have pure motives and help make a difference in hurting kid's lives.
Adoptive parents..... I can understand that more, but it is still amazing for a couple to take a child not their own, and make him or her their own.....forever. I find these people and foster parents heroic.
7) Firemen, policemen, paramedics, doctors, nurses......They work long hours and are not always appreciated enough for protecting us, for helping to save our lives, and more. Again, many are in it for the money, but those fields are full of heroes.
8) Persecuted Christians. Down through the ages, men and women of faith have faced lions, tyrants, torture, imprisonment, and death..... and refused to turn their backs on Jesus. Today, there are multitudes of Christians facing persecution and death, a lot of them by Muslims, but also by other anti-God governments and people. They refuse to bow to another and face loss of family, home, and life... and they still serve God. Our "heroes" have no right to even be in their presence.
9) Christians. Some may disagree with me on this, but I believe anyone who truly denies himself or herself, takes up a cross, and faithfully serves Jesus, is a hero. It isn't easy, and it often involves swimming upstream, climbing mountains, facing temptations and struggles that would never be dealt with if they were not living for God.
But they march on. They comprise all parts of the earth, all kinds of occupations. Some day all who serve Jesus faithfully will enter into Heaven and receive a hero's reward, a reward far beyond any hero or so-called hero here has ever or can ever receive here on earth.
I am sure more could be added to the list, but these are people who deserve the term "hero". Not those who try to change their gender, not those who come out as gay, not those who can hit the most runs, get the most music awards, or the most Oscars. These all will fade away, but what is done for God and for good will last.
I believe who are heroes are says a lot about us. A man trying to become a woman is the trendy hero of the hour, and that is sad. Bruce Jenner needs compassion and Jesus, not praise and awards. And we need to look to true heroes and honor them, not those making a mockery of what God has made and ordained.
As I typed this blog post, two songs came to my mind. Two songs with the title of "Heroes". One by Southern Gospel/Bluegrass group The Issacs, and the other by Country singer Paul Overstreet. I can't decide which one to post with the lyrics and YouTube video, so I am posting both:
Heroes, by the Issacs
Momma comes his hair
And daddy helps him brush his teeth
Day after day for thirty years the same routine
The special needs he lives with
Makes life seem so unfair
But he thanks God everyday
'Cause he knows mom and dad are there.
[Chorus]
And he's a hero and she's a hero
It doesn't matter that nobody knows their names
They keep on givin'
To make life worth a livin'
Might go unnoticed
But they're heroes just the same.
They tried for many years
To have a baby of their own
But God knew a little girl
That didn't have a home
Someone else's burden was their blessing in disguise
Now she's got a mom and daddy there to hold her when she cries.
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
Every single parent
Who must carry twice the load
And those who sacrifice
To raise a child that's not their own
They dedicate their time to make a difference
In someone else's life
And in my eyes.
Chorus:
he's a hero and she's a hero
It doesn't matter that nobody knows their names
They keep on givin'
To make life worth a livin'
Might go unnoticed
But they're heroes just the same
Heroes by Paul Overstreet:
He drives into the city
And works extra hard all day
He finishes up early
So he can get away.
'Cause there's a blue-eyed kid on second base
Wants Dad to watch him play
And Daddy knows he's waiting
So he hurries on his way.
Chorus:
'Cause you know heroes come in every shape and size
Making special sacrifices for others in her lives
No one gives them medals, the world don't know their names
But in someone's eyes, they're heroes just the same.
She rocks her crying baby
In the hours before dawn
She whispers words of hope to help her
Husband to hold on.
She takes time for the children
Making sure they know she cares
She's more then just a Momma
She's the answer to their prayers.
Chorus:
'Cause you know heroes come in every shape and size
Making special sacrifices for others in her lives
No one gives them medals, the world don't know their names
But in someone's eyes, they're heroes just the same.
No, I don't pretend to know you
But I bet it's save to say
There's someone out there somewhere looking
Up to you today.
And they see everything you do
Except for you mistakes
You may not think you measure up
But you got all it takes.
No one gives them medals
The world don't know their names
But in someone's eyes
They're heroes just the same.
Yea, in someone's eyes
They're heroes just the same
Talking 'bout heroes
Special kind of heroes
No ordinary heroes...
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