Heroes Day!

On the 20th of October in Kenya, they celebrate ‘Heroes Day‘, or ‘Mashujaa Day’ –“mashujaa” is Swahili for “heroes”. This is a national holiday in Kenya, which is observed to collectively honour all those who contributed towards the struggle for Kenya’s independence or positively contributed in the post independence Kenya.

It is a day for all Kenyans to honour those who have worked and contributed towards the peace and prosperity of their nation.

It made me think of the list of Heroes of the faith that are described in Hebrew chapter 11. The write of Hebrews then goes on to encourage his readers that “since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Hebrews 12:1

The example given by the heroes of the faith, who despite, opposition, setbacks and persecution that in some cases even led to their deaths, they stayed faithful to God and followed His call upon their lives right until the end, encourages us to do likewise.

Today we have even more heroes of the faith whose lives we can look at to give us encouragement and courage to stay strong and faithful in trials and temptations. People such as  Hudson Taylor, William Wilberforce, Gladys Aylward &  Mary Slessor. Heroes that blazed a trail of faith and devotion as they followed their Saviour.

But we also have heroes of the faith in our own personal lives, people whose faithful obedience has impacted our lives, such as the person who first told you about Jesus.

Today, on the 20th of October, spend some time thanking God for those people that He sent into our world and into our lives to make a difference.

Thank Him for those who selflessly serve and obey Him.

Thank Him for those He has placed in leadership over us, both spiritually and also nationally.

Pray for them too, that God’s will would be done in their lives.

Who are your heroes today?

How can you honour them and thank God for them?

Ultimately let us remember and thank the greatest hero of them all; Jesus.

“Asifiwe Mungu, Baba wa Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo! Kwa rehema yake kuu ametufanya tuzaliwe upya ili tupate tumaini lenye uzima kwa kufufuka kwa Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo kutoka kwa wafu” – 1 Peter 1:3 in Kiswahili (the national language of Kenya).

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”  – 1 Peter 1:3