The dictionary defines hero as “a person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life. Or a person noted for special achievement in a particular field.” There are professional athletes who can run, jump and throw faster than anyone else, but their personal life is less than heroic. Superman, Spiderman, and Batman are still looked up to by millions but how many of us can really pull off tights, a cape, and spandex?
Me, I need a hero that is easy to copy, emulate and try to do the same things they did or do. That takes us to “good ole Chuck,” Charlie Brown, a self confessed loser. I honestly can not think of one thing he ever did that turned out right. He could never talk to the “little red haired girl,” he picked out the worse Christmas tree, could never kick the football, and lets not forget the “Great Pumpkin.” The only thing the guy really had going for him was the coolest dog ever. Deep inside we all wanted Snoopy for a dog, I know I’d trade mine for him.
Here’s the kicker, through every failure and mistake he never stopped trying. Something in him wouldn’t let him give up. He believed that one day he would kick that ball or win the “little red haired girl’s” heart. He failed with gusto, and kept trying, only to fail again. And did I mention that he had some really devoted friends that stood beside him. Friends like that only come from being a great guy.
In a society that places such a high value on being successful and spot on 100% of the time, wouldn’t it be refreshing to know you can fail and keep going. Matthew 25:15-30 tells the story of three men each given talents (money) by their master. One guy knowing that his boss was a tough businessman buried his money for fear of losing everything and not pleasing the boss. The boss was angry because the guy did nothing with what he had. He could have at least put the money in the bank and drew interest off it. Doing nothing gets you nothing; failure is at least an attempt. Let us not be content with a fear of failing, always looking good and doing nothing. Let’s step out and try a few placed kicks even though we may fall on our butt’s. Remember that old adage “It is better to have tried and failed than to never have tried at all.”
