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Heroes and Heroines

Ruth Clemence

It is that time of the week again when I am at #TheLoft, an online blogging community to network, chat and grow as Christians – come on up and hang out with us for a while…

http://arabahjoy.com/loft/

This Week’s Topic: Heroes (and Heroines!)

Sharing some of the people (fictional and real) that I looked up to in the past and some who I continue to admire now. This is NOT a definitive list – there are so many inspirational folk!

Superheroes

I am a massive Smallville fan (Superman before he took up the cape and tights…) and I would love to have the superpowers of Clark Kent. Flying. Speed. Fire from the eyes. X-ray vision. Super-strength. And the ability to work on a farm and be a writer… this is all a wonderful dream for me… but I am writing! Besides Superman, no other superhero has really captured my imagination in the same way… accept maybe my husband… 😉

My Superman
My Superman

Disney

As a massive Disney fan, my head is often in the clouds as I watch the heroic endeavors on screen of the protagonist, such as Robin Hood, Pocahontas, and Peter Pan, against the evil antagonist such as Prince John, Radcliffe and Captain Hook. I used to look up to the heroes of Disney films hoping that I could one day live my very own Disney story, often as a princess, and somehow save the day.

Cinderella :)
Cinderella 🙂

It is fair to say that I am still very much a Disney fan, although as I have experienced life, I no longer see life as ‘they lived happily ever after’ and I have removed my rose tinted spectacles somewhat, as the challenging reality of life faces me daily as an adult (Peter Pan would not approve!). In life, Walt Disney’s idyllic fairy-tale is hard to imagine. Perhaps we got a glimpse of it at the Royal Wedding of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, but I am certain, even their life is not the dream that a Disney film creates so magically.

Standing Up For Good In The Face Of Adversity 

I find myself more inspired these days by individuals that stand up for righteousness, justice and good, even in the face of adversity. Well known individuals that have had a notable impact and that have inspired me include:

Trusting in God Through Challenging Circumstances 

Heroes of the Faith

I mentioned St Paul earlier who suffered persecution for proclaiming the good news of Jesus – there are many examples of men and women in the bible that shared God’s love, grace and hope with all people, and this is incredibly encouraging and humbling for me. There are many Christians today that dedicate their life’s work to telling people about the Lord Jesus (as all Christians should be doing, whatever their job role/career), and acting on His Word, such as those that run soup kitchens, youth groups, charities, mission trips at home and overseas, and so much more besides.

Many risk their lives to bring the gospel to areas in the world where speaking about Jesus Christ is forbidden, sometimes punishable by death. To continue to tell others about God in the face of persecution humbles and challenges me. Would I do the same if I were threatened, beaten and thrown into prison with a possible death sentence? I hope so. I pray that I boldly declare my hope and faith in the Lord!

The heroes of the faith are the most inspiring to me of all because they can risk death for Christ and still see life everlasting with their saviour. They can be broken in body, but restored in spirit. They can face persecution, but still find within themselves the power to pray and bless their enemies. They can forgive and leave vengeance up to the Lord (Romans 12:19). This is a very difficult post to write as I am painfully aware of the terrible atrocities experienced across the world today.

I just know that there is hope, life, love, grace and peace found in Jesus Christ, the Lord of all, who died for all, and rose for all – that we may have a new life in Him – whatever the evil we face, whoever the antagonists are in our life.

Published by Ruth Clemence

Ruth Clemence is a writer, blogger, mentor, wife and mother living in Cardiff, Wales. She loves to write about the good news and hope found in Jesus in the ups and downs of daily life. Through experiencing cancer as a 19-year-old university student and relapsing 10 years later with a young family, she longs to share hope and truth with others.

7 thoughts on “Heroes and Heroines”

  1. Great post, although I didn’t expect anyone to list fictional heroes. Don’t know why; I just didn’t. But you’re right, even fictional ones can draw us higher, and create in us the wish to do better, be more faithful, and steadfast. Good thoughts! Corrie ten Boom, by the way, is one of my long-standing heroines!

  2. I love your list of heroes – “super” and otherwise. 🙂 Corrie ten Boom and several of the others listed there are simply amazing. I love that you listed some Disney-type heroes, too, especially as a parent – I’m always looking for good “role models” to put in front of my kids. It’s nice to have Christian examples, but I love the opportunity to point out the good in all, in whatever book we’re reading, and find redeeming qualities even in fiction. Great insight!

  3. Ruth, what a great list! I am a huge admirer of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I read Eric Metaxas’ biography of Bonhoeffer a couple of years ago, and was stunned by how similar America now is to Nazi Germany in the early 1900s. Frightening. Bonhoeffer was truly a hero of our faith. Thanks for joining us at The Loft. Always a pleasure to have you.

  4. Thanks for the fun post, Ruth! I feel like I know you so much better after reading this 🙂 It’s always great to see you at The Loft.

  6. I loved this post, Ruth! You covered such a wide variety of heroes, but also brought us to a place of encouragement in our faith. Great job!
    Jen 🙂

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