The Making of a Hero

As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:10

What makes a person a hero? A person doesn’t become a hero because he or she decides to. No, a hero is born when some incident occurs, and he or she answers the call with a heroic act. A hero is just an ordinary person who, on one day, with one act, does the extraordinary. Or a hero could be someone just like you—a person who faithfully serves others.

When I think of someone who had a heart that cared and served, I can’t help but think of one particular woman in the Old Testament. You can read her story for yourself (see 2 Kings 4:8-10), but for now, let me give you the condensed version. This nameless woman, who is referred to as “the Shunammite” in the Bible, saw that the prophet Elisha had no place to stay when he came to her town on his preaching tours. So this dear woman asked her husband if they could build a small room on their roof for the prophet to stay in when he came to town.

So what did the Shunammite do that was so great? So heroic? She did what you and I could do and should do—she looked out and saw a need, she reached out and extended a helping hand, and she gave out of a heart of love for another person.

My friend, God has given us an example in this woman and her actions (and her heart). We, too, should be looking out and reaching out and extending a helping hand to those around us. The Shunammite woman will never be found on any list of heroes. But we can be sure that every time God’s weary prophet Elisha entered that little room on the top of her house, the Shunammite was a hero in his eyes.

Read The Making of a Hero on Elizabeth & Jim George.