Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Letter to the Hebrew Christians)

Public heroes are in short supply these days. It seems we are better acquainted with our leaders' failings and vices than with their successes and virtues. It's easier to be a idealistic hero as a candidate for public office than it is after having been elected and come face to face with politics of the art of the possible. In the end, our human heroes always let us down, just as each of us lets down those who hold us in esteem. We are broken people, golden statues with feet of clay.

Lent reminds us of our brokenness even as it holds before us the only hero who will never let us down, Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. He did what we could not, endured what we could not, and calls on us to follow with our eyes fixed on him, cheered on by those who have gone before.

So let us put aside our fear and be heroes ourselves, even if imperfect and limited ones. In his eyes we succeed beyond our dreams, not because we are great but because he is. In our brokenness it is his light we reflect and his joy we share.



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