I Need a Hero

I've been thinking a lot lately. Well, we all think a lot, but I mean I've been thinking about a certain thing. Chivalry (noun): "the system of values (such as loyalty and honor) that knights in the Middle Ages were expected to follow"; "an honorable and polite way of behaving, especially toward women." That is the Webster Dictionary definition of it, but an Urban Dictionary definition states that chivalry is "something that is dead and should stay dead."

Wow. Strong opinion you got there, Urban Dictionary.

Often times, we refer to the perfect man as our "knight in shining armor." He's tall, dark, and handsome. He sweeps us off of our feet. He is essentially an amalgamation of Ryan Gosling as Noah from The Notebook and Marshall Eriksen from "How I Met Your Mother." (At least, he always has been for me.) Our dream man is the perfect example of chivalry: he's a gentleman, sensitive, intelligent, thoughtful, kind, and as close to perfect as a human can get.

Those are all great thoughts and expectations of what we wish to see in our soul mate, but why should they be limited to our one true love? Why does chivalry only need to be expected in those taking us out to dinner and bending down on one knee? I'm not saying that we shouldn't have those expectations of kindness and respect in those we are romantic with; we absolutely should. But there are a lot of knights in shining armor that have been overlooked, and they are the true proof that chivalry is a long way away from being dead.

Think of your dad. Your grandpa. Your brothers. Your uncles. Your best friend! They could all be your knights in shining armor (and they probably are; I mean, who else did you have as examples of what a man should be like?).

But let's kick it up a notch. Knights don't just have to be male. Think of Joan of Arc for goodness's sake! Your knights can be your mothers, your grandmothers, sisters, aunts, best friends! YOU can be your OWN knight in shining armor. Chivalry shouldn't just be sought after in men; chivalry should be everywhere! Why? Because it is another word for respect.

See? You have more knights in your life than you think. And all of those knights are part of the loving kingdom of our one true King: God. God is the heroic king that sent all of these knights in shining armor into our lives! He's given us our family, friends, significant others, and he's given us the bravest, most important knight of all: Jesus Christ. In John 3:16, we are told, "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." Jesus came to earth to fight and die so that we may live eternally in His heavenly kingdom! If that isn't the ultimate act of bravery and chivalry, I don't know what is.

We are blessed with so many knights in our lives. We have SO many heroes. Your family and your friends can be your Knights in Shining Armor. YOU can be your own Knight in Shining Armor. But the eternal Knight is Jesus Christ, and the King we serve is God Almighty.

Chivalry is not dead. And with Christ as our hero, it's never going to die.
Better update your facts, Urban Dictionary.

Ella Mae Bowen may be holding out for a hero to sweep her off her feet, and you may be too! But remember that we are already in God's embrace. Enjoy! 

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16