The True Hero’s Story
This morning I was in church enjoying Easter service. We sang songs that I’ve known for years—songs that I love. And Pastor told the story I’ve known even longer. He told the story of my Savior’s triumph over death. He used words and terms I’ve heard a million times. As he was speaking my mind wandered to the ways we refer to Jesus Christ and what those terms actually mean.
How many stories have you read (or watched, movies count, too) that involved a “chosen one” or a hero? A savior? The hero is a trope—the main character is an integral part of any story. One of my favorite parts of writing in the fantasy genre is how several books that span over a long period of time can still be part of the same overarching story. I love the connectedness.
Jesus Christ is “The One” who paid it all. He was the pure Lamb that was slain to cover a vast amount of sin. He is the Hero with no flaws.
I try to recreate that hope in stories and in life. But I can’t because I’m flawed. If I am the hero of my own story then I am also the villain. The heroes we read about in fantasy novels are flawed—they’re relatable. They make poor and selfish choices. And if we do encounter a hero in literature that is “too perfect” we criticize the author for creating an unrelatable character.
Thankfully I am not the hero of my own story. Thankfully I am the damsel in distress. I am the poor and the wretched. I am the girl who gets caught speeding. I am the girl who overreacts and is selfish. I am the girl who falls short. I say “thankfully” because my debts are already paid and I can live in hope for a better day. I can live in hope because I am one of those that the Hero came to save, and He has not abandoned me. He is faithful in His promises.
It’s a relief to not be the hero. It’s a joy to be the saved.
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1Corinthians 15:57-58
