An Unsung Hero...

Unsung heroes

Or, in which tube drivers remind me of the Old Testament.

The London Underground is amazing. Seriously. Having got a fair way into my second year of being a London commuter, I'm well aware that I'm meant to hate it, and the two free papers so nimbly distributed on week days do a great job of persuading me and my fellow human sardines that it is all some monumental incompetent Scam. 

But that just isn't fair. 

The London Underground, affectionately and more accurately called the tube (because not all of it is underground, or really in London, but all the trains are tubular to some secret) is actually rather brilliant. And it is brilliant because of its unsung heroes.

Staff. 

Drivers. 

Planners. 

Builders. 

Architects. 

Hilarious station announcement announcers. 

Whimsical kiosk attendants and those whose livelihood is predicated on obscure stations being open. 

I rather like the tube. 

I think the reason I like it is because of this plethora of unsung heroes. 

On my journey home today my appreciation of the tube reminded me of a recent bible study I was part of. It wasn't late, sweaty, or accessed via contactless. But it was given by, and all about, an unsung hero. 

Around a table we opened up Jeremiah 38. 

And, probably for the first time, we looked at the story of an unsung hero of the Old Testament. A minor player in the most important story ever lived, whose 'small' actions had repercussions long beyond his life or the scrap of scripture that records his life. It reminded me a bit of the woman who saved Christmas. 

Ebed-Melek was a cushite, an official in the house of the king. His story takes center stage for a brief episode in the bigger chapter of salvation history recorded in the book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah is thrown, by men with evil intent, into a cistern to be left to die. And, it seems, Ebed-Melek is the only person to protest. 

Sometimes there is something of vital importance in being the only person to notice something. Sometimes a whole palace, a whole culture, even a whole church can be so caught up in noise that it forgets what is good and struggles to listen to the still small voice. Ebed-Melek, who is unlikely to be in many people's top ten bible character or baby name lists, is an unsung hero. And in this, he is gracious and kind. He doesn't just question what has happened - he gathers a group and prepare to put it right. He doesn't just prepare to rescue Jeremiah - he does it carefully and thoughtful, grabbing clothes to soften the impact of rough ropes on the prophets damaged body. 

There is much that we can learn from Ebed-Melek - just as I am challenged on a weekly basis by the kindness, politeness, professionalism and patience of staff on the tube. What does it mean to point out a wrong? What does it mean to do something about it? What does it mean to make sure that in doing something, you prepare for a better future for those you help?

I've been challenged in remembering that bible study around a table. Challenged not to be a hero it to be unsung, not to make noise in the streets but follow in the footsteps of service with a servant king. 

How could I remember some spare clothes to put under rough ropes as I go about trying to do good?

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