Hero Worship--Inspite of Feet of Clay

Beautiful photos courtesy of Jeanne Henriques--Collage of Life.

 

 

          Today a story about Lance Armstrong giving up his anti-doping fight was in the news.  Oh, how I used to love watching this cycling champion compete in Le Tour de France.  But, his story is not the focus of this meditation.  I want us to think about "hero worship".

 

          Once upon a time, there was a teacher, preacher, politician, parent, celebrity--you choose whichever one applies to your life--whom I highly esteemed.  His virtues far surpassed those of others.  I thought he could do no wrong.  Then, events occurred in which this highly esteemed person behaved in ways inconceivable to me, contrary to the godly image I held of him.  Indeed, I've set myself up for this several times in my life. I venture a guess that it  has happened to you as well.

 

          As the dust of dismay and disillusionment cleared from my eyes, I saw this person for who he really was--just a mortal man with feet of clay.

 

          I would have done well to keep in mind that God alone is worthy of adoration.  He is the Creator who molded us from clay.

 

          "But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand" (Isaiah 64:8). 

 

           The Psalmist advises us not to put our trust in princes, nor man, in whom there is no help. Our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 118:9)

 

           The Scripture in Jeremiah gives us a beautiful story of the potter, who by his will and design, molds and forms the clay any way he chooses. (Jeremiah 18:1-6)  

 

          Daniel, by the  power of God, was enabled to interpret the prophetic dream of King Nebuchadnezzar.  Daniel described the great image, representative of earthly kingdoms, as made of gold, silver, brass, iron, and "feet part of iron and part of clay".  When the image was smote upon the feet, they broke to pieces and the whole thing collapsed and crumbled "like the chaff of the summer thrashing floors". (Daniel 2:31-35)

 

          Christ is victorious, and our Sovereign God is above all.  Yes, we can admire people, and have our heroes, but we do well to remember that God is our Sovereign Creator. 

          Have mercy on us O Lord.  Help us to remember we all have feet of clay.