Heros and Hero Worship
Everyone needs heros...and not just mythic or Scriptural heros. We need human, flesh-and-blood heros. There's something inside everyone that desires to be inspired whether for ill or for good. Tony Campolo is one of my heros. Just hearing him talk makes me feel like I've just walked out of Braveheart for the first time. Whether at a convention or on tape, when I hear Campolo I want to do something...to give my life for something.

I think that's a good thing.

However, I think too often our heros are only people who we don't really know. In that kind of situation it's easy for a person to slip from hero to idol. When we don't know someone's drawbacks, only the things in them that inspire, we don't realize that they are just slobs like us...hashing out life day by day. We love to set people up as divine kings. It's not fair to the people we view unrealistically, it's not fair to ourselves, and it's unhealthy for Christian community.

I feel this in myself. I remember when I would go to conventions wanting to network with the "right" people. To have conversations with the "movers and shakers". I loved being this type of person locally. The humble guy that had a really kick-ass, happening program going. The person that others came to for ideas and answers. It's not that I didn't love having the conversations...they were great. It was the motivation behind the conversations that always seemed a little weird.

I challenge you. Before you rush off to the next thing or listen to the next tape/CD of your national or international hero, try to find someone a little closer to home. Don't set them up. Just learn from them. Share life with them. Be let down by them. Be inspired by them.
posted by Jimmy at 7:37 PM | |