What Is A Hero? … Hello Hump Day readers. Yesterday was Veterans Day, one that grabs my heart because of my family’s long line of military and my fiancé who died in Vietnam. For me, those people were definitely my heroes and still are! My dad was a sniper and a camp liberator in WWII. I want to share a story from France where my dad was there for two years before they moved to Germany and other areas. This little town was his favorite and he even baptized a baby because the couple were afraid they all would die. It didn’t bother them that he was a Lutheran guy; they just were afraid and my day wanted them to have comfort even though he had to use wine because there was no potable water in this decimated town. So, here’s the story of this little town…it’s truly amazing.

Something was different about the little village of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon in France. Unlike most communities across the country, this town hid their Jews from the Nazis during World War II. A journalist one day wanted to see what kind of heroes would risk everything for the lives of others, so he took a trip to Le Chambon-sur-Lignon. The journalist was floored when he arrived to find these people weren’t particularly smart or brave. But they were faithful believers in Christ who had learned from their local pastor what it meant to love others. And over time, doing what’s right just became a habit for them—so they did!

What do you think a “hero” is? Here are some statistics from the Pew Research Center:

  • Americans value heroic traits like saving lives, risking one’s own life, and standing up for others.
  • A 2023 survey found that military members and teachers are often considered the groups who contribute the most to society’s well-being, however, the ‘Generation Next’ noted that younger people were more likely to admire family members, teachers, entertainers and especially sports.
  • And here is a new statistic with a broad spectrum throughout the USA: Some emphasize that heroism is not just about grand, heroic acts but also involves everyday people making choices to help others.
  • And the most amazing truth that came through these statistics? Most heroes today are astonishingly ordinary. They’re simply people who see a need and do what God would have them do to respond.

Wow! I honestly had to sit and think about this which brought me to John 15:12-13 using The Passion Translation: “So this is my command: Love each other deeply, as much as I have loved you. For the greatest love of all is a love that sacrifices all. And this great love is demonstrated when a person sacrifices his life for his friends.”

And then I found this in Romans 15:1-2 from the Message Bible—it’s so powerful: “Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?”

If we would allow God to take control in our lives, determining who to help and how, God can use us, just like God used my Dad and the people of that humble French village. So let’s make ourselves available to God so we can love others as Jesus loves us.

Remember this: When you simply respond according to the Spirit of God, there’s no limit to what God can do for others through you! After all, heroes come in ordinary packages! Amen.