Heroes and Heroines

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9 ESV).

Gal Gadot appears in the leading role of the newly released film, “Wonder Woman.” It has taken over 75 years for Wonder Woman to be the lead in her own live-action movie. First introduced in a short comic story in 1941, it took less than a year for the Amazonian princess to become the first female superhero to land her own solo comic-book series. Then it took her 35 years until she was the lead in her own TV show. She doesn’t always have superpowers and she isn’t always called Wonder Woman. From fighting Nazis to running a clothing boutique and even ascending to become an Olympian god, various incarnations and interpretations of Diana of Themyscira have appeared in comic panels and on television since her debut. But unlike her male peers, Wonder Woman has never even been seen on the big screen until recently. It was a box office hit to the surprise of many. However, I am curious how it will be played in the national media in the coming weeks. We live in a world full of billboards and 25-second television ads that all seek to influence our basic core values and beliefs about everything from what deode3rant we buy to who we choose as our leaders. Today is a day when we need the kind of influence that is meaningful; it cannot merely be something more meaningful than the popular culture of consumerism, but something most meaningful. That “something” may very well be a person of real integrity; it should be someone who is in love with the living Christ and committed to obedience, completely given to a vibrant relationship with Christ. This is the encouragement of Paul in our reading today. A relationship like Paul’s to believers in Philippi is so important in the Christian life. One of the most enriching gifts that God gives us through the Spirit is the ability to be surrounded with quality people who want nothing less than for you to be more like Jesus Christ. Find you heroes and heroines of the faith in today’s world and walk as they walk. Look, listen and copy them. That will produce a real heroic life. It will bring real meaning into our world.