You probably wont recognise their names but they have all done something quite remarkable.

Jeremiah 41:1-18

Reference:  v.13  When all the people Ishmael had with him saw Johanan son of Kareah and the army officers who were with him, they were glad. (NIV Bible)

Explore:  I've recently become involved with Melbourne's Christian radio station, LightFM.  I am assisting their morning's host, Clayton Bjelan, find interesting people to interview during his 1-on-1 personal profile segment.  In only a couple of weeks I have heard about so many amazing people.  You probably wont recognise their names but they have all done something quite remarkable.  There's Richard Beeston who supported his wife through debilitating depression; Jon Owen who moved into the worst area in Sydney to live beside those doing life tough; Lorin Nicholson who, though blind himself, is riding a bicycle across Australia to raise money for Vision Australia; and Gemma Sisia who has started a school in Tanzania to help educate those who have limited resources.  You wont find these people's names highlighted in the newspaper or broadcast on the television.  They are unsung heroes who sacrifice comforts in their own lives to help others.

Application:  I find that as I read through the Bible I hear of other unsung heroes.  If anyone had have asked me about Johanan son of Kareah a week ago I would have come up blank.  However after reading Jeremiah 40 & 41 I see that Johanan was wise in giving the governor advice, he was willing to put himself in danger to help the governor, and even when the governor ignored his advice Johanan came to the people's aid and rescued them from their enemy.  I'm not sure if I will remember Johanan's name next week but he certainly had a great impact on a group of people when he was alive.  With so much emphasis on famous people these days, it's hard not to feel like it would be nice to have some element of fame in our own lives.  However, instead of aiming to be famous to the world, maybe we need to focus more on having a great impact on the people we are directly surrounded by.  Just like the people interviewed in the 1-on-1 segments, the wider world may not know they exist however, like Johanan, they all had a great impact on a group of people they were surrounded by.  

Prayer:  Lord, when you walked on this earth you did not aim to be broadcast across the nation but You were dedicated to each and every person who came across Your path.  May we stop looking at the stars and refocus our eyes on the people directly in front of us.  Amen.

Who is an 'unsung hero' who has had an impact on your life?