FOR THE UNSEEN HEROES - What compels them to go without sleep, sacrifice their time, and go the extra mile? I don't know if they believe in Him or share His beliefs and convictions. But when I watch these people, I cannot help but see Jesus in them, reminding me of His words: Like Jesus, these people understand who they are and why they're here. They are determined to forge on, to fulfill their purpose, no matter the cost.

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For the Unseen Heroes

How do they do it? I see them, am amazed by them, and want to be more like them.

by Tom Norvell 

How do they do it? What compels them to go without sleep, sacrifice their time, and go the extra mile?

What keeps them from throwing in the towel?

The police officer who is constantly scrutinized and criticized by the public.

The single parent who sacrifices everything for his or her kids.

The divorced man or woman who gets up alone and goes to bed alone every night.

The broken-hearted lovers who feel a pain as relentless, and it is unbearable.

The middle-aged man who realizes his life-long dream is never going to happen.

The teacher who is overworked, underpaid, and disrespected.

The small business owner who continues to scrape by, struggling to keep the doors open and hoping to make it to the end of another year.

The ones who are oppressed because of their gender, skin color, religious beliefs, or for just being different from the status quo.

How do they do it? How do they keep going?

I don't know if they believe in Him or share His beliefs and convictions. But when I watch these people, I cannot help but see Jesus in them, reminding me of His words:

I see them, am amazed by them,
and want to be more like them.

[Jesus read from the scroll of Isaiah:] 

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.

“He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19)

Like Jesus, these people understand who they are and why they're here. They are determined to forge on, to fulfill their purpose, no matter the cost.

Or maybe they haven't figured out who they are or why they're here, but they still choose to live authentically, with conviction, integrity, love, and compassion.

To all of these people who live with such courage and grace, thank you. You are seen, admired, loved, and respected.

May I be a mirror so you can see all that you are, may you accept all that you are, and may you thrive.

Tom Norvell is the author of "A Norvell Note" -- Thoughts and reflections on God, life, people, and living as a follower of Jesus. He has ministered with followers of Jesus for four decades and loves Jesus, his family, and those seeking Jesus, passionately. (Visit the Author's Website)

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