Heroes

Recently I read biographies of two preachers. David Ring is an evangelist who was born with cerebral palsy. He lost his mother and father before he finished school.  He was clearly disadvantaged. But God has used him in powerful ways. I’ve heard him preach. He challenges his listeners who make excuses with his classic line. “I have cerebral palsy. What’s your problem?’

            The other book was about Erwin Lutzer, long-time pastor of Moody Church in Chicago. He was born to a poor farming family in Canada. His parents were of German descent, immigrants from the Ukraine. They were married for 77 years before his father died at age 106. 

Among other biographies on my shelf are those about Charles Colson, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, C.S. Lewis, Ronald Reagan, Christopher Reeves, and Billy Graham.  And then there is Pete Maravich. 

            I idolized Pistol Pete.  In high school, I wore my hair like his, cut the elastic out of my socks so they would droop around my shoes, and tried to play the game with flair.  More than once I sent behind the back passes to my teammates, some of which  landed in the laps of cheerleaders or fans in the first row.  I tried to avoid eye contact with the coach when that happened.

            In reading about Maravich I learned something that I did not know.  He was miserable throughout most of his pro career. He did not enjoy basketball.  He did not enjoy the money or the fame.  He became addicted to alcohol and drugs. 

            Later in life he came to faith in Jesus Christ, and his life was changed.  Until that time, he had no real hope for the future.  Think about it.  I was jealous of someone who really did not have as good a life as I did.  I know that the treasures of this world do not suffice.  There is a God-shaped hole within each of us, and we are never satisfied until it is filled with God. 

            We can learn from the lives of others. But we need to be careful to remember that all of our heroes are fallen. There is only one who has lived a perfect life, and we are called to worship and serve Him. His name is Jesus. I pray that you know Him.