Who’s Your Hero

I have never been interested in Boxing as a sport. For the obvious reasons I really do not find it appealing and consider it extremely hazardous to a person’s health. I understand the arguments that suggest boxing helps to channel aggression and it is a discipline, however, I think that there are better ways in which to develop this. Consequently, I have not really paid much attention to the life and career of Muhammed Ali and was unaware of just how significant he was.

As I was channel flicking on Friday, I happened to catch the live broadcast on BBC24 of the many eulogies given at his memorial service. A young student Natasha Mundkur was giving a eulogy at the time. Interested by the coverage I watched to the end. Seated on the platform were representatives of different faiths and communities including Christianity, Buddhism and Native American. As speaker after speaker including Billy Crystal and Bill Clinton, came forward to share stories of how Muhammed Ali had impacted their lives, it became clear just how influential this man had been across different religions, nationalities, cultures and backgrounds. In his humanity, he transcended barriers and stood for what he believed in. That really came across in what people were saying.

Photo by Yeremia Ganda on Pexels.com

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, the memorial service became a rally for tolerance, respect and unity in the face of the current political climate in the USA. I was touched by many things actor Billy Cristal said, particularly how Ali had sponsored an collaborative arts programme in Israel for Jews, Palestinians and Muslims. Crystal also talked about how Ali believed in building bridges between people and not walls.

What an incredible example of what could be achieved in one lifetime; through love and determination in the face of severe ill health. He was genuinely someone who looked beyond the external appearance of people. Another speaker quoted a famous Ali soundbite which summed up his philosophy on life; ‘Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.’

I have been reflecting on these words over the last couple of days. There are some similarities in the way Ali chose to live his life here on earth to the way Jesus commanded his followers to live their lives. Ali’s Islamic convictions were his inspiration to do good in the world and to live out what he believed.

As a follower of Jesus, I have a different perspective on this. I am empowered to do good works as the result of a living relationship with Jesus. To change the quotation somewhat; ‘Service to others is what you are able to do because the rent for your room has already been paid’.

No doubt, Ali could be classed as a hero to many and I now have a greater admiration for him than I did before.

But I know there will only ever be one hero for me…the One who took my place.