Unlikely Heroes

Have you ever looked into a magnifying mirror? It’s disturbing when you see everything up close. It isn’t a bad thing to see your flaws, your shortcomings, and your sins. Just don’t allow yourself to be identified by them.

The Bible says that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV). In what is called the Heroes’ Hall of Faith, Hebrews 11 presents us with an amazing collection of characters. Some of those who made it in are expected, but then there are some surprising entries as well, like Jacob.

If we were honest about Jacob, we’d have to admit that this guy was a rascal, big time. This reminds us that Hebrews 11 is filled with ordinary people like us. They were world changers, and we, too, can be world changers.

They discovered the secret of staying on top is not talent. It is not opportunities or status. It is faith in God. These people were far from perfect. They failed often. But they are not in the Heroes’ Hall of Faith because they were great people. They are in it because they had faith in a great God.

Here’s what I find fascinating. You won’t find a single mention of any of their sins in this passage. And they did sin. However, not one word of their failure is mentioned. Why? Because they were forgiven, and God gives second chances. They were looked at for what they became, not what they were.

In the same way, when God looks at you He sees a work in progress. But He doesn’t just see you for what you are in the moment; He sees you for what you can become.