I have been married to the same wonderful man for over 41 years, and there are things that we do together now, that I would have never thought to do before marriage. One of those past times is watching car races and I have come to appreciate racing as a sport. As you watch something or someone over the years, you can track improvements and changes that are being made overall or individually. The cars and performances have improved, the build of the cars and the engines have increased in size, and the velocity is much higher now than forty years ago. Most of these changes are simply thanks to a continual update to technology, however, experience over time on the part of the drivers is crucial to the process as well. Everything is analyzed and scrutinized until they have everything down to a science. They want to get from A to Z in the shortest amount of time, and not only faster than their competitors, but faster than their last personal recorded time. Now this also needs to happen with the least amount of damage to their car’s engine and body. This is a challenge, but they take it on, race after race, and year after year.
The expression ‘zero to sixty’ is a specification used to measure how fast a car can get from zero to sixty miles per hour. This is used in car development, with sports cars generally taking first place at around four seconds and vans coming in last at around eight seconds. In the NHRA racing series, which is what we watch often, there are various categories of cars that race, all having their own specifications, and records to beat. One category is called ‘Funny Cars.’ These cars drive over three hundred miles per hour, reaching the finish line in around three seconds. The certified length of a race strip is 1320 feet, which is a quarter mile. This is crazy fast and is as if the drivers are sitting in a rocket ship! They are strapped in and wrapped up in fire retardant safety gear for this dangerous feat; and they are literally flying, albeit low and near the ground, and yes, their cars are equipped with a parachute on them as well. The talent and skill that is needed to accomplish just getting to the finish line in one piece is astronomical, not to mention the fierce competition.
There are several qualifying rounds that one driver must win to be counted among those in the winner’s circle. However, when they go the distance, it is met with much jubilation and celebration. They whoop and holler, hold up their trophy while kissing it, and sometimes even stoop down to kiss the ground. During that moment of fame, there is waving and flailing of the hands, speeches dedicating the trophy to a loved one or to a friend, and they are in that moment, a hero in the eyes of their family, friends, fans, co-workers, and employers. The limelight is short lived though, because going into the next season, the process will begin all over again. The praise, trophy, and accolades will then go to the next winner. While the trophy of last season’s winner continues to collect dust on the shelf, their status of hero can be changed in an instance in the mind of the fans, with just one wrong move, foul light, slow start light, or subpar run. And with one small mistake, quickly the limelight fades with snide remarks resounding from the stands of how that driver is an idiot, or they should have known better, or they always jump the gun on the light, or they were asleep at the wheel, or they need to focus, and on and on. They have gone from a hero to a zero, with one mistake, though they were the champions and could do no wrong only months prior.
In my lifetime, with both my husband and I being missionary kids, and being involved in ministry for over forty years, I have seen these types of scenarios play out all too often. The missionary family gives all they have, to fulfill the call of God on their lives. They sell everything, pull up roots, leave family and friends, and jobs, and move to a foreign country where they will have to start over. Through blood, sweat, and tears they begin to build up the kingdom of God in the country they have landed in, and often to the demise of their own health or relationships. When it comes time for them to retire, due to age, health, or other circumstances, most will only receive a plaque of appreciation for their service, for some there may be a party, and others may get congratulatory pats on the back. However, no sooner than the nail is hammered into the wall and the plaque is hung in their home as a reminder of the life they have given, the music and the limelight begin to fade, and they are forgotten. They go from hero of the faith to unknowns. This is often evident by the number of guests or the lack thereof at their funeral services.
This happens so often and in various occupations and walks of life. Hard working people give thirty or forty years of their lives only to retire and be relegated to a wall of framed, unnamed faces. Beauty Pageants are a classic example of this. The Miss Universe contests are riddled with excitement, applause, sparkle, and shimmer, leading up to that long awaited announcement of who has won the crown. The runners up are forgotten immediately, and the winner is only remembered for the year she holds the crown and participates in charities with media attention. She then relinquishes her crown, along with the title, and benefits that the office held. I have personally been guilty of watching these shows on television, and no sooner than my hand hits the ‘off’ button, I have forgotten who even won. I would not be able to recall the country the girl was from nor their name even if my life depended on it. Their one moment of fame is over almost before it begins.
Our men and women who serve in the military often fall into the ‘lost and found’ box when the dust settles. They sign on the dotted line, work year after year for our country, are deployed to foreign soil and willingly leave all that they have for the cause. They may receive promotions which will earn them a pin on their uniforms and a small raise in salary, however, once their commitment is fulfilled, they come back home only to find that they do not fit in anywhere. They go from hero to zero before the plane hits the runway. They often wish to be back on the battlefield where they are recognized and where they are seen and needed. Some come back with diseases or disabilities and are shunned and deemed ‘a risk’ to hire. Would this be the same if they had died on the battlefield? No, they would be a hero, but their name would also be on the Veteran’s Wall.
Once this happens to the race driver, missionary, minister, employee, pageant winner, soldier, or to you, and you are standing with ‘egg on your face’ or ‘dust in your eyes,’ what is next on the agenda of life for you with your hero cape stripped away? The race driver must try to win again to reclaim their trophy because this is the job. They can up their game, improve their equipment, possibly find a new team or sponsor, but they must go from win to win, to be successful and gain recognition once more. However, the retiree, or those riddled with bad health, or the pageant winner who is now obsolete, or the forgotten soldier, or you in whatever circumstance you find yourself in, must endeavor to reinvent themselves. How to do this and get back on the radar then becomes the question.
No matter what they decide to do going forward, life will never be the same, there is a void, a feeling of being zero or not enough because they have been put on the back burner. The former missionary or retired minister will continue to go to conferences or meetings when able, subconsciously seeking validation. They may contemplate starting another church; however, time or health may not be on their side; therefore, that could be a disaster. They may search for another ministry to be a part of, but how to be a domestic kitten when you have always been a lion becomes the conundrum. The former pageant winner will probably go on to have a thriving career, because she is still young at this point, but will always be quick to announce as the decades come and go, “You’ll never believe it, but back in the day, I won the Miss Universe contest.” Though this can be done in good taste or even in jest, they are always looking back, trying to ride that wave one more time just to be seen. The soldier may have to take a job flipping burgers or go back to school; however, many end up on the streets with those who pass them by, not knowing that there is a hero in their midst.
Human nature at its core has a longing to be seen and acknowledged by others. However, most people do not just expect to get something for nothing, it is an innate characteristic in most people to earn that respect and recognition. However, once they get knocked down a few times they can become cynical and stop trying, which can lead to their demise, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually, just like being a hero can. The expression, “Don’t be a hero,” can mean various things depending on the context. This phrase was used in a song by a group called Paper Lace, in 1974 that goes like this:
The marchin’ band came down along Main Street
The Soldier Blues fell in behind.
I looked across and there I saw Billy.
Waiting to go and join the line.
And with her head upon his shoulder
His young and lovely fiancée
From where I stood, I saw she was cryin’
And through her tears I heard her say,
“Billy don’t be a hero, don’t be a fool with your life.”
“Billy don’t be a hero, come back and make me your wife.”
And as Billy started to go, she said, “Keep your pretty head low.”
“Billy don’t be a hero, come back to me.”
The Soldier Blues were trapped on a hillside.
The battle ragin’ all around
The sergeant cried, “We’ve gotta hang on boys.”
“We’ve gotta hold this piece of ground.”
“I need a volunteer to ride out.”
“And bring us back some extra men.”
And Billy’s hand was up in a moment.
Forgettin’ all the words she said, “Billy don’t be a hero…
This soldier died earning his stripes, and his status as hero, but to the deep heartache of his beloved fiancée. I would however, contend, that though the title ‘hero’ is earned, there are living heroes among us. I have often heard it preached that those mentioned in Hebrews 11 were referred to as ‘Heros of the faith’, because they were now all dead and gone; however, I do not think death is what earned them the title of hero. Let us take a closer look.
Portions of Hebrews 11:4-39 goes something like this, “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice…By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death…By faith Noah…prepared an ark to the saving of his house…By faith Abraham…obeyed…By faith Abraham…offered up Isaac…By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob…blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped…By faith Joseph…made mention of the departing of the children of Israel…By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter…By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not…These all died in faith…”
“And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Japheth; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mocking and scourging, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented…they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all…obtained a good report through faith…”
When reading this passage, it is riddled with verbs that jump out at me. We all know what the definition of a verb is, and if not, let me refresh your memory. “It is a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence, and forming the main part of the predicate of a sentence, such as hear, become, happen.” The verbs I see here are offered, sacrificed, translated, prepared, obeyed, blessed, mentioned, refused and so on. These great men and women of faith earned their status as ‘heroes of the faith,’ during their lifetimes, not after they were gone. It just so happens that the writer of Hebrews was telling their stories after the fact to make the point that though they had not yet received their promise, we will all receive the promise together if we also walk in faith as they did. However, let us note that every good report of faith received came with struggles. Abel had his Cain, Noah had to persevere for a hundred and twenty years before the flood came, Jacob had his trials riddled with deceit and lies, Joseph had his brothers and Potipher’s wife, Rahab lost her home, Samson had Delilah, Daniel had the lions, and the three Hebrew boys had to endure the fiery furnace, and the stories continue.
On the scale of zero to hero, their lives were probably lived at the zero point much more than at the hero mark. They had to keep keeping on, as the old timers used to say. Just because they lived in a different era than we do, does not mean they did not have to keep reinventing themselves. The driver keeps driving, the missionary keeps loving, the minister keeps preaching, the pageant winner keeps waving, and the soldier keeps marching forward. Though they feel forgotten, their stories of heroism will be told in the annuals of history, and more importantly God sees all. We see this in Hebrews 1. It says of Abel, “God testifying of his gifts”, of Enoch, “for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God”, of Noah, “Being warned of God of things not seen as yet… became heir of the righteousness which is by faith”. James 2:23 states, “…Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” Their accolades, trophies, and approval came directly from God, not men. 2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us as Christians, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” God sees all and knows all even when we do not receive recognition from those around us.
Trying to remain relevant in our lives can be a daunting task if we are trying to please people instead of God. I have personally gone from a hero to zero in less than sixty seconds, which is a heartbreaking experience. I do not claim to be anything or anyone special, however, I do have some God given talents, acquired skills and a hard earned education. But with that being said, I have had my balloon burst at times, being told by words and insinuations that I do not have talents, skills, nor education, on many occasions. The heartbreak is even more acute when it comes from those we love. Besides these literal deflations, human emotions can cruise from hero to zero so fast that you do not know what hit you. For instance, your child might say, “You baked the best cherry pie, you are my hero and the best mom in the whole wide world” to the next moment saying, “You don’t have a clue what I’m going through, you’re just mean” if you do not let them go outside to play with their friends. You may be on the top of someone’s ‘hero’ list when you are needed, and dropped like a hot cake when they are done with you. These things are not right nor just, but they are human nature. Life is filled with ebbs and flows, highs and lows, compliments, and insults. It all comes as a package deal. We trudge, we skimp and save, we are continually stressed and trying to educate ourselves to excel and end up with successes and failures, and disappointments when we are trying to please everyone around us; but in a life lived dedicated to God, we place ourselves in His hands, so He can choose our status and say, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant”.
As much as we know how it hurts to be given the ‘silent treatment,’ or be shunned for no fault of our own, we should strive to not be the one who cuts others down to size with our words or actions. Life is too short, and the human spirit is very fragile. Do not take your loved ones, friends, or co-workers on an emotional roller coaster ride. Luke 17:1-2 states, “Then said he unto the disciples, it is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he be cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” We must be Christ like and show love in every circumstance by lifting others up in the good or the tough times. One burned piece of toast does not make someone a bad cook. One lost job does not mean someone is a bum and not a provider for their family. Do not let one incident, however small or great, erase years of positive experiences. You will not reach success by stepping on the heads of those who are down, but rather by riding on the shoulders of those who are standing strong. We never lose by giving love, encouragement, and credit where credit is due.
Proverbs 25:21-22 states, “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.” And Romans 12:18-21 says, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirsts, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good.” Heaping coals upon someone’s head did not mean to stress them out or repay evil for evil, but it meant you were being a blessing to them, because it brought needed heat to their homes in those days, in the freezing weather. We are to always bless others, not because they always treat us fair, but because it is pleasing to God.
In Matthew 22:36-40 we read, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” In Luke 6:27-28 Jesus said, “But I say unto you which hear, love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” Just remember those days when you find yourself lost and alone, feeling worthless and like a zero, you are not alone. As Hebrews tells us, God himself has testified of your faithfulness and has counted it to you as righteousness, no matter what anyone else thinks or says. You will not lose your status with God even when you slip up. He forgives and forgets and still calls you, His child. He knows you and still loves you, that is ridiculous grace! You are a hero in His eyes.