Acts 3:1-7
Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour, and a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask for alms from those who entered the temple. Who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us." So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, 'Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."
The word "Hero" conjures up all sorts of images. Muscled men who will not stand for injustice toward those who can't defend themselves. Women who rise up for a cause to address and attack those who seek to oppress others.
Sometimes I think we may even attach such a name as "hero" to those we read about in Scripture. Such as Peter and John and their encounter with the cripple man. We look at this Power encounter that brought about the healing of this man, and we automatically, maybe even subconsciously, slide Peter and John over into the category of hero. The funny part is that Peter and John did not go about seeking recognition for what they had done. They were just open to being led by God to address a need that no one else seemed to have an answer for. And of all the places to not have an answer....the temple. The supposed place where God's people went to worship. Don't get me wrong..the people who were going to the temple and stopped to give this cripple man some money did a good thing. But sometimes in this world, those of us who claim to love God, and to live for Him, need to rise above the good thing to embrace the God "thing". Such is what Peter and John did when God used them to heal this man.
I purposely chose the image above for today's blog to point out how we allow our cultural view define who and what we think makes up a hero.
"Great heroes of the faith". And we would never list ourselves in such a level or class of believer's would we? No, I think not. Why? Because we don't see ourselves as such. We're just ordinary folk, trying to eek out a living here during our lifetime. Oh, we go to church, pray, read our Bible, and yes......we tithe. But hero? Not us. Well, what if I told you that God has given you the potential to move, operate, and change your corner of the Kingdom? You might think me crazy.
You see, I have the honor and privilege of knowing and working with heroes.
Ordinary men and women who have fallen in love with this Jesus. But more than that, the love they have for Him has propelled them to a place to where they want to simply share Him with those they come in contact with. They do so without fanfare. They are a part of the unseen, ever faithful part of God's kingdom. The part that isn't flashy, or self-promoting. Such heroes go about their daily lives for the glory of God. Loving, helping, teaching and praying for those who live in spiritual darkness. I have seen first hand what God can do when someone truly falls in love with this Jesus. I have seen Him take those that the world would not give the time of day to, and fill them with His Spirit and then use them to change the lives of others.
Such are those that God has allowed me to know and love and work with. Men and women who have been delivered from the death sentence of addiction, and given new life in Christ. There is nothing more dangerous to Satan's kingdom than a former addict who has been saved and delivered out from under his bondage. Such a person has the potential to burn with a desire to rescue those who are still out there. They go about their Father's business seeking no recognition for themselves.
You know, Scripture tells us that Able's blood that was shed has a voice that testifies even today. I wonder what my blood will say after I've left this world? What will it testify to? What will your blood say? Will it testify to the faithfulness of God to save everyone who turns to Him? I believe that God in us affects those we come in contact with daily, and that there is a ripple effect as those we touch, touch others, who in turn touch others.
It is truly time for us to get out of our comfort zone and become connected to a community of like minded people who can encourage us to exercise our faith as we move through our daily life. As Jesus said, "The harvest is white (ready to be gathered) but the workers are few." What workers? Us workers.
God on you...
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