““If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins . . .”

— 1 John 1:9

How would you define the word “hero”? Do you know anyone who fulfills that definition, anyone whom you hold in such high esteem?

These days we desperately need heroes, people we can look up to and emulate. I think that George Washington fills the bill in a remarkable way. In his own day, George Washington’s character was the wonder of the world. Not even his most relentless British foes of the Revolutionary War could denigrate his character.

But what gave rise to such amazing character? For starters, his parents, both dedicated Christians, raised him in a godly home. His father taught him to be unselfish, to love the truth, and to worship God. His mother helped him develop his prayer life. As an adult he carried on these good disciplines. Through his own writings, Washington has left us a legacy of his fervent prayers, such as “O most glorious God, in Jesus Christ my merciful and loving father, I acknowledge and confess my guilt, in the weak and imperfect performance of the duties of this day.” Almost without fail, Washington spent his mornings and evenings reading Scripture and in prayer. Every day he maintained a consistent devotional life, seeking God’s guidance. As Washington led our country, he never once trusted in his character to guide him; he trusted in Jesus Christ, the only perfect person who ever lived. Washington prayed that Christ’s blood would cleanse him of all his sins, that God would accept him because of the merits and perfect character of Jesus Christ, not his own.

As good heroes do, Washington provided us a good example of a faithful Christian. He trusted Jesus with his life and maintained discipline in his devotional life. His steadfastness contributed to his greatness. How can you follow this great hero’s example today?

“We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
Aristotle