Course Content
"Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?"
Who is your hero? Did you ever think that maybe you are one to someone else? In light of all the negative stories we see every day, it is inspiring to read about heroes—stories of people making a difference in someone else’s life, like the story of a man who showed mercy and care for a couple who needed help. I read the story of this man, who recently was told to repossess an elderly couple’s car. The elderly couple was behind on their car payments. After the repo man took their car, he reconsidered and returned their car to them, setting up a fund to pay it off in full. The elderly man said it was like winning the lottery when his car was returned to them and paid in full. The man was their hero.
Then there is story of Oskar Schindler, a true hero. If you have not watched the incredible movie Schindler's List, I highly recommend it. Oskar turned his factory into a refuge for Jews. Schindler managed to save about 1,100 Jews from being gassed at the Auschwitz concentration camp. It is a testament to the good in all of us.
There are so many ways to make a difference in someone’s life through encouragement, prayers, spending time with them, and letting them know you are there.
At the end of the movie, as Schindler was leaving his factory for the last time, many people were there to say goodbye—people whom he had saved! Schindler stopped and looked at the people, broke down and started crying. He said he could have saved more. He could have sold the gold ring he had on his finger and saved more. This man will be remembered as a hero for generations to come.
I have had heroes in my life. When I ran away from a violent situation as a teen, a wonderful woman took me in until I could get on my feet. She met me at a bus stop and just simply took me in. She prevented me from sleeping in the streets. I stayed there for a couple of months until my church helped me get my own apartment. My life was forever changed for the good because of this amazing woman and my church. They were just instruments in God’s hands.
God commands us in Matthew 35:35-49: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes, clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will reply, truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Christ could command this of us as He lived that example! He suffered a horrible, cruel death so we could live. He died for all of our sins. That would make Him our number one Hero!
So who is your hero? And are you making a difference in someone else’s life? You do not have to take someone into your home to be that hero. You may never be remembered, as Schindler will be for saving hundreds of lives. However, never underestimate one act of kindness that can change the course of someone’s life or just lighten his or her daily burden.
There are so many ways to make a difference in someone’s life through encouragement, prayers, spending time with them, and letting them know you are there. The world is full of broken people who are just waiting for a hero to come along and make a difference in their lives. Be an instrument in God’s hands, making a difference for His people.
And never forget the people who have made a difference in your life, for they are your heroes! Be grateful to them and grateful to God for using them!
Janet Treadway was born in Washington, D.C., but was raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. She started attending the Church of God with her mother at the age of 14 along with her twin brother, Jim.
She was baptized at the age of 19 in 1974. She has been involved in various activities, such as serving as the managing editor of UCG’s first teen magazine UsTeens, which was distributed worldwide and published in English and Spanish.
Janet’s first love is writing. She has contributed many articles in various publications such as Vertical Thought, Virtual Christian Magazine, United News and others. Her article “Take Action, Your Life May Depend on It” is also featured in the reprint “The Cycle of Abuse.” Janet draws from her own life’s experiences and challenges when she writes and is motivated to give readers hope that God will see them through anything.
Janet has worked in the home office of the United Church of God since 1998. She is married to Charles Treadway and has four children, David, Michelle, Michael and Josh, as well as six grandchildren and two granddogs, Jo Jo and Vinny.
