Heroes Who Didn't Want To Be Called Heroes

As I read this first-hand account of the allied invasion of western Europe in 1944 (here is some history behind the invasion, some pictures, and videos here, here, and here), my eyes immediately fell on what survivor Ray Lambert stated regarding a town's desire to dedicate a plague in his honor named "Ray's Rock."

Quoting from the above article: "Lambert says that when the mayor of the town called him last year to say they wanted to name the rock after him, he had one condition: Don't call me a hero. They wanted to put 'Ray Lambert the hero,' and I wouldn't agree to that," he says. "I said that if you're going to do it, I will agree to it if you put the plaque on with my men's name[s], and that's what they did."

While Mr. Lambert was reluctant to call himself a hero, he did want to be remembered for his sacrifice: "The way I'd like to be remembered was a guy that was willing to die for my family and for my country, and a good soldier and a good person."

"As a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (2 Timothy 2:3,24-25 -- see article), isn't Mr. Lambert's above remembrance the way we would all like to be remembered?

Jesus once stated, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.You are My friends if you do whatever I command you" (John 15:13-14).

Jesus willingly gave the greatest sacrifice ever recorded for mankind's eternal benefit (Romans 5). He did not want to be classified as a "hero" just as these folks didn't want to be classified as being "heroes." All willingly sacrificed their lives simply because of their love for their fellowman (see here). Note that Jesus' desire was simply to be "servant of all" (Mark 9:35).

Beloved, let us be willing to sacrifice our lives for the benefit of others, in the form of our God-given talents, time and money. Let us "make a difference" in the lives of others. Let us too be heroes (in God's eyes) who didn't want to be called heroes (Matthew 25:20-21).

---Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets