A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles. Christopher Reeve
Lance Armstrong’s story inspires me. I hope you’ll take thirty seconds to watch this video:
(If you have trouble viewing the clip, this link will open it in a new window)
When I was a kid, sports personalities could still be heroes.
Before the Internet and 24/7 cable news with their insatiable appetite for sordid personal details, we viewed our idols through a lens of innocence that made them seem a bit larger than life. Paparazzi-driven media thrives on inevitable off-field flaws and failings, but something’s lost in the harsh spotlight of reality where box scores and records are overshadowed by financial transactions and court proceedings.
Even in the megabucks world of modern sport, I confess to retaining a bit of child-like admiration for Lance Armstrong. Without dismissing his personal struggles or ignoring his obvious marketing genius, Armstrong is a man who’s overcome adversity and uses his experience to inspire and encourage others.
I don’t care that he’s making a ton of money from Nike; in fact, good for him. I choose to focus on the people who are encouraged by his story to continue their fight. I choose to acknowledge the millions of dollars he’s raised for cancer research and treatment. I choose to admire those yellow bracelets that symbolize hope for folks all around the world. I choose to crank a little harder up that next hill in pursuit of The Crazy Quest.
It’s easy, and therefore tempting, to focus on what you oppose. Accomplished communicators accumulate followers, power, and riches by rallying resistance. Influential preachers and politicians build fanatical support based on opposition. I suspect that most people know more about what Christians oppose, often with bitterness and hatred, than what we support or believe. As Rick Warren said, “I love God, I’m just not mad about it.”
For me, the message of the video, and of Lance’s story, is simple. When you’re doing something positive, critics don’t really motivate you because they’re irrelevant. Don’t get distracted by the unavoidable naysayers standing outside the lines. Instead, do what you believe to be right, and do it with passion and persistence. Do it with love even when others don’t love you back.
Stand for something. That’s how you live a life of substance.
People like Armstrong, Christopher Reeve, Jim Valvano, Mike Utley, and Nick Buoniconti and don’t inspire because of what they oppose. These guys all fight (or fought) a tough opponent, but their legacy isn’t about disease or injury or anything negative. They’re too busy moving forward to waste energy on what’s behind. Their legacy is about proceeding with optimism, hope, courage, and passion.
That’s what I want. That’s a life of substance.
Is Lance Armstrong a hero? Ask the kids in the cancer center or the millions of people who run or ride every day because of his example. Perhaps they’re better judges.
Sometimes we forget that God uses imperfect people, because that’s the only kind He has to work with. Rather than cynically seeking defects to criticize, perhaps we’d all do better to emulate the courage that surrounds us.
I don’t admire Lance because he’s perfect–he’s not. I admire him because, despite his human flaws, he’s doing what he can to make his corner of the world a little better. I appreciate that he inspires me to do the same.
If that makes me seem a bit wide-eyed and innocent, I’m okay with that.
What’s your definition of a hero?
Did you enjoy this article? Please leave a comment, visit my website, and/or send me an email at rich@richdixon.net.
Subscribe to receive updates by Email
Related articles: