Maybe I'm a Hero!

Presently, I am reading Max Lucado's book, "When God Whispers Your Name." I LOVE reading his books because they are always encouraging and an easy read. I am able to read them without having total silence.

Last night, I read Chapter 3 entitled "Hidden Heroes." I was so encouraged and brought to tears from what I read. He explains how most of the time a true Hero is not recognized until after they are gone. Thus, many times we do not even know who the hero was or how much affect the small things we do in life truly have. He provides an example of this by writing:"For that reason, a hero could be next door and you wouldn't know it. The fellow who changes the oil in you car could be one. A hero in coveralls? Maybe. Maybe as he works he prays, asking God to do with the heart of the driver what he does with the engine" (31). So many times, we think Heroes are Perfect people, dressed up in a superhero outfit, but in reality, "for every hero in the spotlight, there are dozens in the shadows. They don't get press. They don't draw crowds. They don't even write books!" (31). Lucado continues to illustrate this point by telling the story of John Egglen.

Have you heard of him? I had not heard of him until I read this chapter. He was a Deacon in an England church in the 1850's. One Sunday morning in January, a snowstorm made it almost impossible for any of the church members to get to church. The pastor was snowed in and Egglen debated about venturing out in the snow to attend church when he knew so many people would not be able to get there. Well, he did go and only 13 people were there, one of which was a visitor. Most wanted to just go back home since no one there had a sermon prepared. However, Egglen stepped up to the need and even though he had never preached a sermon before and had nothing prepared, he preached that Sunday. His sermon was only 10 minutes long! He closed his sermon by addressing the visitor directly and saying, "Young man, look to Jesus. Look! Look! Look!"

At the time, Egglen had NO idea what he was doing. In fact, he probably thought what he did was silly and made no difference. However, for the visitor it made a difference. When that boy became a man he commented about this with these words, "I did look, and then and there the cloud on my heart lifted, the darkness rolled away, and at that moment I saw the sun." Oh, I should note that this visitor's name was Charles Haddon Spurgeon!!! (England's Prince of Preachers.)

Every time I think of this, I get chills!! Egglen was just meeting a need that came across his path...doing what he thought was right. He did not realize how powerful of a moment that was and what amazing ramifications his willingness to preach that Snowy morning would have on countless people!!! Luado closes the chapter with these words:

"We seldom see history in the making, and we seldom recognize heroes. Which is just as well, for if we knew either, we might mess up both. But we'd do well to keep our eyes open. Tomorrow's Spurgeon might be mowing your lawn. And the hero who inspires him might be nearer than you think. He might be in your mirror!" (33)

Goose Bumps? Me too! So, maybe I'm a hero =)