Dear friends,

I came across this quotation the other day:

 "The hero is one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for men to see by. The saint is the man who walks through the dark paths of the world, himself a light."

 How would you define a 'hero'? As I write this, England have just been knocked out of the World Cup after some pretty dismal performances, not least against Germany. The flags are coming down fast. I almost detect a sense of relief amongst fans that the agony isn't going to be prolonged to the next round. The heroes of England simply didn't perform. Instead of setting up 'blazing torches' they didn't even get a spark going!

 Now it may well be that English players simply aren't good enough, but I also can't help feeling that they're victims of unrealistic expectations put on them as well. Of course many argue that they're overpaid, that they maybe don't feel they owe it to their country as much as their clubs. But I can’t help feeling that the media hype and the public build-up to the competition in this country created unrealistic expectations. There's always been pressure on international representatives, but somehow it seems out of hand these days. One lager advertisement almost turned them into demigods. We all know what that can do to the human mind; the more we feel we have to live up to something, the less we can. If only those players could be free to play the game they enjoy without all that heaped on them – or am I giving them too much benefit of the doubt?

 I suppose it does show that the world still needs heroes. Generations past had their generals and national leaders. Now we're in a more cynical age and we look to personalities made famous by films, music or just by appearing on 'Big Brother'. We might think such people set up lights by which we may see – well, see what exactly? See a hope that ordinary people can become less ordinary perhaps? See some brightness in a world that is really not so exciting, even if we've got money to spend?

 Now look again at that definition that compares heroes with saints. Heroes might try to light torches, and may often fail. On the other hand, saints are those who live through all kinds of difficulties in life and still come through maintaining their integrity. They are, in fact, the true heroes. I think of those who put others' needs before their own, those who give their lives in service to others, those who are prepared to go to prison or even face death for a just cause. I think of my brothers and sisters in Christ who are persecuted simply because they won't deny their Lord. I remember those who suffered in the past to bring the Bible to us in our own language. Anyone, in fact, who is prepared to face the 'dark paths' for the sake of making things better for others with no regard for their own comforts.

 Such people won't usually court the attention of the world's media. They won't fill stadiums or attract great revenues in advertising. They won't excite us for a short or intense period of time. But they can be lights for us to walk by. The example of another person who can inspire us to live our lives for others is worth a million temporary 'heroes'. You might even be able to think of one such person who helped shape your life, someone possibly unknown to anyone else. Have they made you want to be a saint too? And here's the thing really: according to the Bible we can all be saints, because that's the definition of anyone who follows Jesus Christ. We can all live our lives in his light and in the light of others who also follow him. We too might not ever be famous, but in God's eyes and the eyes of those who matter we can be heroes if we make a difference in the world.

 Even if England had progressed in the World Cup and the players became 'heroes', it wouldn't actually have changed your life that much. Of course, if you're sick of football and all those bee-sounding vuvuzela trumpets you'll be mightily glad it's all over anyway! Personally, I enjoy following football (and rugby). I love listening to music and watching talented performers as well. However, I can't claim these activities have a long-lasting effect on my life as do following Christ and looking to the lives of those who truly inspire me. At the end of my life those saints will be the ones I'll remember with gratitude, and God will honour them. May you too find your true heroes in the dark paths of the world.

 With best wishes,

 Anthony.

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