Heroworship is defined by Dictionary.com as extravagant or excessive admiration for a personal hero. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hero+worship)
When I was a child I used to really adore Ultraman. Every Saturday at around 11:00 in the morning, me and my brother would be tuned in already for the next episode of Ultraman. I loved and adored him so much to the point where I imagined him being my husband. For those who were born in the 80s, maybe you can relate.
Photo from http://www.jjtoy.com/wallpaper/download-10237-ultraman-dyna1024-.html.
Photo from http://www.jjtoy.com/wallpaper/download-10237-ultraman-dyna1024-.html.
I spent my elementary years in a public school where I think almost every girl is corny including the most intelligent girl in my class. Almost every girl (except me because I had no money to buy one) had a slambook that could be slammed in the face of anyone’s crush for obvious reasons. I remember one of the questions in those slambooks: Who is your hero? or Who is your childhood hero? And I remember writing in the space beside those questions the name Michael Jackson. You might find this weird but when I was young I would play the song (yes it was in tape during that time) You Are Not Alone over and over. And now I can imagine how ridiculous I looked defending MJ to the MJ-haters in elementary; I even shouted ‘He doesn’t like apes!’ I was twelve at that time.
Photo from http://www.herletters.com/michael-jackson/.
Photo from http://www.herletters.com/michael-jackson/.
I was 21 when I became serious in my walk as a servant of Christ. But even during that time, and at some point in the years to follow, I still heroworshipped. When I brought my mother and brother to my church VCF years back, I very much wanted to bring them in the service when Pastor Luther Mancao would preach. At that time, I thought my family would accept Jesus if it’s Pastor Luther who will preach. Guess what? When I brought my mother and brother to the congregation, Pastor Luther was out of the country. God had to deal with me something.
I once overheard someone saying “Oh I love Pastor Blank. Sundays are incomplete without him.” And my friend responded in her mind – “So if Pastor Blank dies, you will be obsolete in this world?” Haha. Funny.
Kidding aside, we could all be heroworshipping someone or something. It could be your boyfriend or the mere idea of having a boyfriend, a discipleship leader you so adore to the point of always quoting them instead of the scriptures, a material thing with sentimental value, or yourself.
Simply put, heroworship is idolatry. It is idol-worship.
I am about to finish reading the exciting Revelations and I encountered this in chapter 19:10:
At this I (John) fell at his (angel’s) feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
This is a very powerful reminder and I think I must remind myself of this everyday as everyday there are a lot of things that can occupy my mind, things that somehow could become longings until they become idols like iPhone 4s or the upcoming iPhone5, car, husband, baby, Mother Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Jude, money, etc. These things are God's competition in our hearts.
If you’ll ask me who I would like to heroworship now, I’d say Jesus. For only He deserves it. He is my Hero and I worship HIM only. For He alone is God.
How about you? Who is your hero?
I once overheard someone saying “Oh I love Pastor Blank. Sundays are incomplete without him.” And my friend responded in her mind – “So if Pastor Blank dies, you will be obsolete in this world?” Haha. Funny.
Kidding aside, we could all be heroworshipping someone or something. It could be your boyfriend or the mere idea of having a boyfriend, a discipleship leader you so adore to the point of always quoting them instead of the scriptures, a material thing with sentimental value, or yourself.
Simply put, heroworship is idolatry. It is idol-worship.
I am about to finish reading the exciting Revelations and I encountered this in chapter 19:10:
At this I (John) fell at his (angel’s) feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
This is a very powerful reminder and I think I must remind myself of this everyday as everyday there are a lot of things that can occupy my mind, things that somehow could become longings until they become idols like iPhone 4s or the upcoming iPhone5, car, husband, baby, Mother Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Jude, money, etc. These things are God's competition in our hearts.
If you’ll ask me who I would like to heroworship now, I’d say Jesus. For only He deserves it. He is my Hero and I worship HIM only. For He alone is God.
How about you? Who is your hero?