The nature of unsung heroes is that they quite like their anonymity. They’re usually very nice people, and I think that if some were to sing their praises, others would gladly take up the refrain. Trouble is, when we sing the praises of unsung heroes, they’re no longer unsung. So I’ll leave mine in the distinguished company of the 7000 who hadn’t bowed the knee to Baal. God knew who they were – even if the prophet Elijah didn’t!
“If your work speaks for itself, don’t interrupt.” Unsung Christian heroes are not just modest in regard to what they do – they’re humbly unaware of their small but important contributions to church life. That’s good, because if they became aware of their humility, they’d probably lose it.
My unsung heroes are rarely pulpit people. In fact, it’s usually a battle to get them to testify. They’re those a pastor can depend on to lift him up to God when problems have got him down. While his temper is fraying, they’re praying. And when he, their anointed leader, ministers with authority and power, they are quietly satisfied with the thought that their prayers may have helped. Sometimes, during church worship, the discerning pastor glimpses who God used to bring about his recovery, and counts himself blessed to have them in the congregation.
Let’s see. Those who prepare communion, filling tiny jars with grape juice, and plates with broken biscuits. And we all know that those flower arrangements at the front don’t just appear from nowhere. My greatest unsung heroes, though, would have to be Children’s Church workers. “Out of sight, out of mind” is all too often their lot.. Behind the scenes workers are humble, but these people are selfless. Visiting Ministry? They’d be happy to see a visiting pastor! We call ourselves the happiest people on earth, but their eternal treasures may make them the richest saints in Heaven.
Then there are the unsung heroes who make it possible for us to travel. And those who, on our arrival, take us into their homes and hearts. The couple who insist on meeting us at Heathrow Airport, at 6.00am – whatever the weather. The tiny tribal lady on Mt Kinabalu, Borneo, who got up at 4.00am and walked three miles to prepare our breakfast. Poor people in the Philippines who treated us like royalty, and humbled team members with a pedicure! The Regional Superintendent and his gracious wife, who invited me into their home. He had introduced me to his colleagues at a UK conference, as though I belonged. The lovely couple with a B&B in Cornwall, who always give us the Daisy Room (best in the house, with Atlantic views to die for).
Unsung heroes? Often the phrase, “a certain man” or “a certain women” is used to introduce a person who received a miracle – sometimes in the face of great opposition! My all-time favourite unsung hero is the woman who touched the hem of the Lord’s garment, and proved that faith conducts the anointing! How about the four lepers who considered their options (in one of the greatest displays of logic in the Bible), and saved the city of Samaria? They weren’t healed of leprosy, and probably died “on the outer” – legends in the city’s lunchtime, but Bible heroes forever, because they did the only thing that made sense!
Sure, we go to Hebrews 11 for the Honour Roll of Heroes, but they are the Big Names. But what about Enoch’s wife? What did she tell the children, I wonder? “Dad’s gone out walking with the Lord and isn’t coming home – ever.” I could go on. Because for every known hero, there are thousands – millions – of ‘ordinary’ believers whose faithful support helps make it all happen.
A story. I don’t know whether it’s true or not. But it ought to be. A middle-aged widow prayed for revival in her church for many years. One day it happened! “Wonderful”, she thought, “I’ll go down to the church tonight, and enjoy it!”
“No”, said the Spirit of God, “Instead, go out and buy yourself a pair of dancing shoes.” The woman did, and when she came home with them, the Lord said: “Go down into your cellar, and put them on.” When she did, the Lord said, “Now, dance for me.”
And, in the anointing, she did – until the soles of the new shoes were completely worn out!
Now there’s an unsung hero!