hero: search for the hero inside yourself

How have your priorities shifted since the pandemic hit? Maybe you’re realising just who matters most in your life, who counts enough to be in your circle of love. Who you miss seeing and being with. Who and what you can’t easily live without.

Perhaps you’ve spotted a hero or two in your midst, someone you might have taken for granted before but whose services have become a vital necessity. Because heroes are far more widespread and closer to home than we might think.

A hero is less obvious than movies indicate. More ordinary than you might imagine. Most of them are normal people simply going about their daily lives, often employed in health care and other essential services.

Our admiration and praise are focused now on the humble people who are keeping things ticking over. We’re grateful for the humdrum we barely noticed before, and the neighbour or friend getting groceries for us, those who listen, care and support.

“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others, at whatever cost.” — Arthur Ashe

This is a time when our heroes are small, shrunken to the ordinary saviours of this world. Those who selflessly care, look after others and keep our lives gently ticking over with acts of service, sacrifice and love.

This is a season when celebrities from A-Z are largely being overlooked by far more important stuff, as emergency, crisis and chaos call forth a different sort of reaction and response from us.

We’re in hard days where our heroes are those who lead the way with their ability to put others first, to keep going while the rest of us are furloughed, sidelined, forcibly rested—if not particularly relaxed.

These are days for appreciating the selfless individuals who quietly, faithfully leave their mark as they go about their everyday tasks, and give and give again to help us stay safe from harm.

You and I don’t have to be heroes but we can appreciate their presence and be grateful for the sacrifices coronavirus heroes especially are making, while we consider how we could potentially make a difference in our own small way.

For we all have the potential to be a hero to someone else, e.g a frail, housebound elderly person in need, a child waiting to be taught or kept entertained, a friend or family member who requires our understanding, help and support.

So maybe this could be a time for you to shine, to make yourself available to others who might be sick, suffering, struggling to come to terms with job losses and lockdown. Or those with emotional or financial difficulties who need a kind listening ear, prayer and sympathy.

Because heroes and heroines aren’t simply the strong, fighting against all odds caped crusaders anymore. They’re not famous. They don’t have a huge fan base or entourage. They are real and regular people, like you and me.

“I am of certain convinced that the greatest heroes are those who do their duty in the daily grind of domestic affairs whilst the world whirls as a maddening dreidel.” — Florence Nightingale

And if you battle with depression, worry, anxiety or fear, or struggle with pain and chronic illness, experience huge losses, perhaps, yet show up each day with a vestige of hope and courage in your heart, and do your best to support others when you feel strong enough, then you’re definitely a hero in my book.

Courage wears many faces. It requires venturing in faith. On days when you feel crushed and your brave deserts you? Turn to Jesus, the Saviour of the whole world and the greatest Hero that exists, who laid down His life for us and is always willing to rescue those in need.

Do you have a hero in your life? Let’s celebrate them together! 😉💜