There is bound up in the human psyche a need for heros. That is, people who stand out as bigger than life, people who have over achieved. People who have excelled and succeeded in their labors to such a degree that no other person could possibly accomplish anything nearly as spectacular as the hero.

There are degrees of heros, the common, household variety all the way up to the super hero. When humans classify their heros they make these kinds of distinctions. Not by labeling the hero as common or super, rather it is done by what is attributed to the hero. Exaggeration often comes into play here. The hero, over time, takes on new or greater dimensions. A legend is born, an idol is fashioned.

From this very human exercise are birthed the likes of the gods of the Hellenistic mystery religions of Greco-Roman origin, with gods of super human attributes who excelled beyond humanities wildest dreams. Or the modern day Superman or whatever/whoever may be the popular idol of the day. If there is no current hero, you may be certain that one will soon be created for it seems that humanity must have something to worship that is greater than humanity itself. The creation of celebrity is a modern example of this form of idolatry.

Continued. . .

"Consider the
lilies of the
field. . ."

Need Cataract Surgery?
by Michael Crowe

Paul prayed, "That the eyes of your heart may be enlightened..." (Ephesians 1:18). Samuel said to Jesse, David's father, "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (I Samuel 16:7). Jesus said, "Judge not..." (Matthew 7:1).

Those people in front of you in the grocery line are more than they appear to be. The spectators at the soccer game are more than simply the parents and grandparents of the players. God is a mystery, and so are the people He creates.

Is that man just an older man, or is he a retired professor of nuclear physics from Stanford? Is that woman just an older woman, or did she raise 25 foster children throughout her life with extraordinary grace and creativity? Is that boy simply a boy, or will he author twelve books of poetry and be a household name in forty years? Will that little girl pouting in her mother's shopping cart be a missionary to Mongolia or a U.S. senator in the 2050's?

And what is vibrating in these people at this very moment? How many are facing a terminal disease? Which ones are praying right in the instant that you see them? Which ones are glancing at you and deciding to put you in their current novel or painting?

Continued. . .