On Monday, my wife and I decided that we needed a date. We both had the day off, the kids were home and we happened to have a couple of free tickets to the local theater, because of a poor experience the last time we visited. All we needed to spring for was lunch. So, after feeding the kids, we set off for the show.
Unstoppable was the movie of choice. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. It's along the same vein as Apollo 13, only a bit more dramatic and a little shy on fact. That, and it centered around locomotives instead of spacecraft. It's loosely based on events that actually occurred in Ohio in 2001, when an unmanned runaway train traveled down the main line for miles. In reality and in the movie, the train posed danger to both person and property. It could have ended in disaster, but collectively through human ingenuity, the ending was bright.
After the credits were rolling, my thoughts went back to the employee who was responsible for setting this horrific story in motion. I thought about the lives he needlessly affected, all from a place of complacency and laziness. Then, my thoughts shifted toward the leadership of the fictitious rail company whom the disaster centered. When alerted of the unfolding situation, why was their first concern about money and stock price instead of protecting human life? Why were they so callous and selfish? Finally, I thought about the main characters and how these ordinary men became heroes by going above and beyond the call of duty to aid in a situation beyond their control. Without question, they risked their own skin to save the lives of many others.
The more I thought about it, the more it bothered me; our entire world is affected by the first two types of people. Every day, we're affected by poor customer service, shoddy work, and people who serve without a servant's heart. We also get to experience leadership that isn't always up front and honest about their intentions. You see it in the headlines nearly every month; "Executive lays off thousands, receives a 10 million dollar bonus". It simply isn't right.
We need more heroes. We need more Christians who are willing to step up and shine in a world that's passing further and further into darkness. We need to really and truly stand up and be salt and light to the people of the Earth. We're not called to be lazy, worthless sluggards. Nor are we to be greedy misers with self-centered ambition. We need to stand out in a good and holy way!
Matthew 5:13 (The Message)
13"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
If we aren't outstanding in whatever we're doing, we're no better off than the slack employee, or greedy CEO. I challenge you to take a look around and pinpoint the areas where you can be a hero. For me, it's to be a better husband to my wife, father to my children, volunteer within the church body and employee in the workplace. It also means being a "foul weather friend" when the chips are down and other "friends" have bailed out.
These are ordinary opportunities, ones that most people face each and every day. Like the valiant men in Unstoppable, I want to rise to the occasion and be an everyday hero. With the Lord's blessing and strength, you can do the same.
Good Night
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