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What does a hero look like?

A "hero" as defined by Merriam-Webster's online dictionary is "a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities; one that shows great courage."

I'm sure heroes aren't just limited to men. In fact, if we were to make a list of the heroes of our time, some names like Anne Frank, Helen Keller and Mother Teresa would make the list along with men like Martin Luther King Jr. and Billy Graham, as well as the men and women (past and present) in the armed forces.

Heroes aren't always famous nor do they always get a lot of attention. Sometimes a hero is just someone's mom or dad. In the case of James Kim, Senior Editor for CNet.com, he was dad to two little girls. I know he is a hero to his family and friends as well as to strangers like me. If you're not familiar with the story, let me give you a little background. This family was returning from a Thanksgiving trip when they got lost in the remote southwestern Oregon wilderness for 11 days. While stranded, the family managed to stay warm using the car heater. Once the car ran out of gas, they burned their tires to stay warm. Kati Kim also managed to nurse her girls keeping them from going hungry. After day 7, James set out to find help. He was not dressed for the wilderness, but he did not let that stop him from making an effort to save his family. In fact, his footprints in the snow were what led rescuers to find his wife and children. Unfortunately, in the last act of his life, Mr. Kim demonstrated the ultimate expression of devotion while sacrificing his own life in order to give life to his wife and daughters.

As this story unfolded in the news and online last week, I was riveted. With each new piece of news I continued to pray for this family I did not even know. As the story reached its conclusion on Wednesday, I was so sad to hear of James Kim's death. In reading the news, I came across an online bulletin board filled with notes to this family. It was filled with thousands and thousands of thoughts and prayers for James and Kati Kim. As I continued to hit the refresh button on my computer, more and more continued to fill the screen. It seems I was not the only one who had been moved by this act of courage and heroism displayed by Kim.

As I continued to contemplate this in light of the upcoming celebration of Christ's birth, I thought about another hero... in fact, the ultimate hero... Jesus Christ.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!
Philippians 2: 5-8 NIV

While James Kim was truly a hero to his wife and kids; because his efforts saved their lives - his story has only inspired me. I do not doubt he was an amazing man, devoted husband and father. And while I do not wish to take away from this man's life, his death ultimately has no direct impact on me.

I hate to say this, but it made me very sad to realize just how many people were moved by James Kim's act of heroism and yet they have missed out on getting to know a hero who died for them... personally.

Jesus is a personal hero to me. He wants to be your personal hero too. His life and death has an eternal impact on each and every one of us. His life was an example to us as to how we should live. His death was to cover our sin. His resurrection displays the power God has over sin and death.

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2: 9-11 NIV

He wants to give this gift to you.

Will you accept it?

Will you allow Jesus to become your personal hero?

Here's some scripture to help you understand the gift of salvation.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 3:23 NIV

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 NIV

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 NIV

for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Romans 10:13 NIV

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Romans 10:9-10 NIV

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.
Revelation 3:20a NIV

Jesus is standing at the door knocking. He has a gift He wants to give you... the gift of salvation. Are you ready to receive Him and in return give Him yourself?

Dear Lord, I pray as this message goes out that someone will hear You knocking on their door and will invite You in to be their personal hero. As we celebrate Christmas, I pray that above all other gifts we will give and receive, that all will know there is nothing more precious and valuable than the gift of Jesus. Let that be the gift we treasure above all else. In Jesus' name I pray!

"Refreshment in Refuge" from Gina Burgess

Things that go bump in the night