The past six days, Nov. 7-12, have been filled with drama, suspense, shock, mourning, celebration and expressions of gratitude. As individuals, communities and nations we’ve witnessed the rise and fall of politicians, the death of a world-renowned musical and literary artist and a national day of remembering the sacrifices of men and women across our country and around the world. Phew, it’s been enough to knock the proverbial wind out of a person.
It’s my custom when writing these weekly columns to pick a nugget of gold from some common experience of life but, I admit, this week it’s felt more like I was transversing a minefield than strolling through a meadow. Like you, I imagine, I have friends who opted to vote for politicians on both sides of the spectrum. Like others, I suspect, I loved the music of this artist but, admittedly, grimaced at some of his life choices. When it came to fallen heroes, however, those hundreds of thousands of individuals who stood at cenotaphs across our country were united in thanksgiving for the freedom we enjoy because others offered their lives to pay for it.
Narrowing down the subject even more, I think I can safely say that over the years, men and women have chosen their heroes for reasons of their own. This week was simply the time in which those choices became evident to the world.
Our pastor’s message this morning titled, “It’s not always as it seems,” reminded me of the absolute necessity of refusing to judge people or situations without knowing the whole story, but above all of keeping my eyes and heart focused on the One who is Lord of lords and King above all kings. In other words, He is my Hero.
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith …” Hebrews 12:2
