The feminist in me has been screaming at me for the whole time I’ve been writing. “Where are the women? Call yourself a feminist, you’ve chosen the easy route again and highlighted men?” Believe me it’s a pretty loud voice and I will be having a stern word with myself afterwards!
I love Mary. I adore her. I adore everything about her. Right from the beginning she threw herself into God’s will. She may have had doubts and indeed been very scared, but her bravery shows us everything about her will.
She accepted God’s challenge, she travelled alone to her sister’s home. Carried a child of God and raised him and watched him grow from a boy into a man and ultimately a saviour and then watched as he died on the cross.
Being a man, I can never experience that natural bond between Mother and Child. How strong is it? How does it feel to have another life growing within you? What emotions do you feel as you watch them walk for the first time and fall, when they make life mistakes and get hurt physically and emotionally?
Mary had to go through all of this and still remain strong in the knowledge that her son would be the saviour of the world; and to save those in it he had to die for us, to release us from sin.
I cannot even start to imagine that level of emotion. For this is why I consider Mary to be a truly exceptional hero and one deserving of the name.
I am truly thankful to all the Heroes in the Bible, many, many great men and women of virtue, faith and passion that have helped form my love for God.
Is there a point in your life where you can be the Hero? Can you affect somebody struggling with poverty, debt, hunger, sin? Our calling is to help reach out and whether it be a huge evangelistic approach like John the Baptist or the unsung heroics of Mordecai, I pray that God clarifies our vision, strengthens us for the challenge ahead and shines a light on those who need our help the most.
Steve Fogo
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