Holding Out for a Hero

Where have all the good men gone
And where are all the gods?
Where’s the street-wise Hercules
To fight the rising odds?

Isn’t there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
Late at night I toss and I turn
And I dream of what I need

I need a hero
I’m holding out for a hero ’til the end of the night
He’s gotta be strong
And he’s gotta be fast
And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I’m holding out for a hero ’til the morning light
He’s gotta be sure
And he’s gotta be soon
And he’s gotta be larger than life
Larger than life

Do you all even know who Bonnie Tyler is? Or care?

It was so long ago, yet it was just like yesterday…well, more like 1983. Look her up and check out the fabulous album cover. Wait…do you all know about albums, the vinyl discs music used to be recorded on for at-home play? Anyway, I just found Tyler’s album cover on Wikipedia. That hair was classic! So much cooler than I could ever get mine, but I tried just the same.

Tyler sang Holding Out for a Hero and it was popular. Hey, it was even on the soundtrack for Footloose.

You must know who Kevin Bacon is. Please tell me you do.

Even if you aren’t as old as I am, maybe you can identify with me in the need for a hero. We are living in some crazy times and it feels like all that’s good and right and true and beautiful is getting sucked into a vortex of outrage and offense.

Of course, there are reasons to be angry. No one can deny that. I still wonder where the heroes are. It’s more like I’m longing for heroes to emerge out the mire and bring us up with them. Bring me up with them.

I’m frequently drawn into this sort of despondency and looking to others to break the spell of low spirits.

Then…

Then, the Lord always brings me back to Him. He, of course, is the Hero I’m holding out for.

The real issue is, “Why am I holding out for Him?” He is already here. He is with me and with you. We have Him in His word and in His Spirit.

We are the light of the world.

We won’t shine if our “city” is buried.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” - Jesus Christ, Matthew 5:14-16

As quick as I am to criticize, I have been shown that mere criticism doesn’t further the cause of goodness or beauty or truth. Critics aren’t heroes.

If I want to make a difference in this world, to my family and to others, I will do well to create instead of criticize. It’s better to create something for the cause of Christ than spend time listing the corrections needed for this wrong or that problem.

“I criticize by creation, not by finding fault.” - Cicero

There’s no need to hold out for a hero to create something good for His Kingdom. Someone already did to show us the way. God is the Creator of it all. We are made in His image. We are to be like Him.

Further on in Tyler’s pop ballad, she sings,

Up where the mountains meet the heavens above
Out where lightning splits the sea
I could swear that there’s someone somewhere watching me

Through the wind and the chill and the rain
And the storm and the flood
I can feel his approach
Like the fire in my blood

I can’t say if Bonnie knew she was describing the Hero of Creation, the Hero of the Bible, but there is Someone watching. We can feel His approach. He does cause the Spirit of holy fire to come inside of us.

There’s your Hero, Bonnie.

And there’s your Hero, too, Tina. Now, stop criticizing and start creating. Live and love like Jesus did. Be angry, yet do not sin. Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works.

Don’t hide the light. Share it so the world can see the Light and glorify its Source.