The pages of ancient history are filled with the exploits of yesterday’s heroes- men and women who faced great challenges and rose to the occasion with strength and valor. The mere mention of their names is enough to stir the imagination:

• Alexander the Great, who conquered Greece, the Persian Empire, and Egypt, and then wept because there were no more lands to conquer.
• Hannibal, the general from Carthage who rode elephants to battle.
• Joan of Ark, the French heroine and military leader who was burned at the stake and later canonized.
• Admiral Lord Nelson, whose bravery during the battle of Trafalgar preserved England as a world power, even though it cost him his life.
• James Bowie, the great plainsman who gave his life at the Alamo.
• And Douglas MacArthur, the man who returned to save the Pacific.

These names read like a who’s who of world history. And yet their deeds, though slightly embellished through time, continue to live on in tribute to their greatness.

The Bible, too, is full of the deeds of great heroes. One need only think of Joshua, commander of the conquering tribes of Israel; Gideon and his 300 men; and Samson, who slew one thousand Philistines with the Jawbone of an ass. Who could forget brave Daniel, who faced a den of lions because of his faith in God? What about Nehemiah, the cupbearer who became the chief builder of the walls of Jerusalem? And don’t forget Paul, who endured the wrath of a heathen world and gave his life to share the gospel of Christ with those who had never heard.

The list of heroes could go on and on. And yet, despite their courageous deed and extraordinary accomplishments, it is not the acclaimed hero that interests me most. It is the unsung hero that means the most to me.

Consider Jael, the wife of Heber, who helped Israel defeat the armies of Canaan by driving the tent stake through the skill of their general, Sisera, while he slept.

How about the nameless armor bearer of King Saul, who, despite the continued pleadings of the mortally wounded Saul, would not kill his beloved king, and who took his own life as Saul’s ebbed away?

What about Ahimelech, the priest of God? He fed David and his starving troops with sacred showbread from the tabernacle.

Abishag is another unsung hero. She had the task of nursing the aged David.

The maid of Naaman comes to mind. Despite being a slave, she told her Syrian master where he could find Elisha and be healed of his leprosy.

An unknown boy who was willing to give his lunch to Jesus is another unsung hero. I think of a woman who poured her life’s treasure on the head and feet of Jesus. What about the group of believers who lowered Paul over the walls of Damascus to safety? And remember Epaphroditus, messenger from the church at Philippi, who delivered gifts to Paul while he was in a Roman prison?

No fancy names. No marquee headlines. No press clippings. No noticeable rewards. No glory. The world didn’t grind to a stop and take notice. In fact, few people even knew or cared what they did. They were just common, ordinary people who were faithful to God when it counted. Yet despite their lack of renown, they were essential to the plans of God.

But while the world ignored them, others praised them- like David and his men when they had a full stomach for the first time in days; and Namaan, when his skin looked and felt like an infant’s. Paul knew unknown Christians had helped him when he opened those gifts from Philippi and wept with joy.

And God noticed, because that is God’s way. He has always chosen the small, insignificant things to confuse the mighty and common, ordinary people to confound the wise.

He works in the same way today. In a world of superstar athletes, musicians, and actors, God still uses simple people to carry out His mission.

I’ve never met any of my heroes (although I did see Roberto Clemente play in person several times). And despite my great desire to emulate their athletic abilities, I never rose to those whose skill I admire. But as I think back over my life, I’ve realized that sports heroes never made any substantial impact on my life.

The flash and glitter of athletes’ outstanding plays has made little difference in my life. But the unselfish investment in me, made by ordinary people serving God, has changed my life.

• People like that nameless college student who gave a summer to come to my neighborhood and tell me that Jesus loved me and died for my sins.
• Or my first-grade Sunday School teacher, who faithfully prepared her lesson every week, knowing all that time that I would be her only student.
• Mr. Booth, who taught my fifth-grade class at a small school and helped me develop relationships- with both boys and girls. He became a role-model for me of what a young man could become.
• Then there was Pastor Koons, who cared enough about a group of rag-tag junior boys to take us on a weekend camping trip and teach us that God loved us and had a plan for our lives.
• I remember Coach Herron, the all-sports coach at another small school, who taught me that the difference between a “champ and a chump is u!”
• And my parents, who took me to church every week and faithfully served in Sunday School classes and children’s church.

The list could go on and on. So many people, now forgotten, invested themselves in the life of a little boy, never knowing that he would grow up to carry on their legacy of service. I can’t remember them all, but God does, and one day He will reward them.

And so I write to a group of common, dedicated servants of God. No superstars. No cover stories. No worldly acclaim. But each of you has been given a special calling by God. You’ve been enlisted to impact the lives of others. You will impact them through teaching, but you will make the greatest impact through your living. For it is your teaching in action that people will remember years from now. They may not remember what you said or even who you are, but they will always remember what you did to impact their lives.

Teaching is often a struggle, a battle to remain faithful week after week when seemingly nothing is happening in the lives of your students. And yet, despite the fact that you may never see the results, God is using you to shape a life.  And what will be the reward you ask?

Somewhere, sometime, a man or woman will have the opportunity to share about the people who impacted his or her life. And your reward is this: one of their unsung heroes will be you!