Unsung Heroes

I’ve been thinking this week about unsung heroes.

Our nation is busy marking two major events on consecutive weekends. They seem at two ends of a spectrum, the sublime and the ridiculous. The Coronation was all pomp and circumstance, majesty and a touch of mystery. Eurovision feels a bit like the average person’s alternative: sequins and celebrity, a lot of fun while not taking ourselves too seriously. With a lot of singing on both occasions.

It is largely harmless, although expensive entertainment. But at a national level we seem to be manipulated into what we celebrate. We are fed large-scale “free” events, like the royal weddings or sports world cups. Every time we dutifully hang our flags and miles of bunting, and the tax-payer contributes to much of the bill. It is a technique that national rulers have used since Roman times to keep the masses quiet, like a good day-out at the coliseum games.

Eurovision doesn’t pretend to be anything more than light entertainment. The solemn words of the coronation were far weightier. They called our King to account before God, that he ought to be a servant leader, a morally righteous person. I couldn’t help wondering how many of the British establishment played along, but secretly crossed their fingers during those vows. Celebrities and powerful people are not usually known for their strong moral character.

Some of the attendees at the Coronation were recognised as ‘ordinary people’ like volunteers, charity workers or people with lives of service, from various walks of life. It got me thinking about what you and I might chose to mark, to celebrate as worthy, within our own Sheffield region?

Perhaps we would point to our beautiful countryside, to our educational, NHS and large public sector workforce, all public servants in their ways. Or our creative and hi-tech industries. That illustrates what we do. What about who we are? Maybe it’s our friendliness, or straight talking.

The bible is full of unsung heroes. It emphasises that who we are in character and values is more important than what we do.

“Now a leader is to be above reproach, faithful to their spouse, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money” (St Paul, in 1 Timothy).

Forget the anthems and singalongs, I prefer wholesome hearts. Here’s to our unsung heroes.