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The events that took place Saturday, July 13, at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania have the entire world talking. Some of the discussion centers around the apparent lack of security and ease with which the shooter got into position to attempt his evil deed. Nevertheless, one thing that jumped out to me (and millions of others who watched the footage over and over again) was the bravery of the men and women of the Secret Service who immediately surrounded President Trump and created a human shield around him.
That is incredible. They assessed the situation and intentionally moved to the most dangerous location. They moved toward the danger. This was heroic action. No doubt about it. I heartily applaud those who are brave enough and willing to engage in such dangerous exploits.
However, in my opinion, heroic action is not limited to the overtly dangerous. A hero is one who comes to the rescue of another by attempting to save their lives or merely to relieve their misery. A hero is one who is willing to make a personal sacrifice for the benefit of others.
Obviously, the ultimate example of heroic action belongs to Jesus the Christ. He relieves our burdens (1 Peter 5:7), saves our lives (John 3:16), and made a personal sacrifice for our benefit (Rom. 5:8; 15:3). Thanks be to God!
Yet, while none of us are expected to make such monumental or magnanimous heroic sacrifices, we are indeed expected to be heroes of a sort.
We are expected to make sacrifices to relieve the misery of others (Rom. 15:1-2; 1 Cor. 10:24; Phil. 2:4). We could be like the widow who gave what she had to bring God glory and lift up others (Mark 12:41-44). We could be like the Church in Macedonia who joyfully sought to relieve the burdens of other saints (2 Cor. 8:1-5).
We don’t have to be streaming on the news to be a hero. We don’t have to be in the crosshairs of danger to be a hero. We just have to be willing to sacrifice and lift others up. After all the Lord Jesus has done for us, how could we refuse (Eph. 4:29)?
Bart Warren
South Green Street church of Christ
Glasgow, KY