“He-Man and the Masters of the Universe” was one of those animated shows (cartoons) that you couldn’t get enough of. It was only on tv for a couple of seasons, but thankfully it lived on in reruns for years. In times of trouble, always started by Skeletor and his minions, Prince Adam wielded a magical sword and by saying the phrase, “By the power of Grayskull”, was transformed into He-Man, champion of the planet Eternia. Every young boy watching the show dreamed of lifting the magical sword and becoming He-Man and saving the universe from the evil clutches of Skeletor. Ah…the power of television.
Things don’t change much when those young boys grow up. They still dream of chest-thumping courage and saving the world (or at least the girl). It is no mystery why action movies are so popular among “manly” men. They usually involve saving the world (or their small part of it) or rescuing the girl. I could give you a million examples, but here are a few: “Star Wars” (Luke saves the Rebellion by destroying the Death Star (twice in fact, though Han Solo gets the girl); any of the Die Hard movies (Bruce Willis must get tired of stopping terrorists); “The Avengers”, “Iron Man”, “Spider-Man”, “Thor”, “Ant-Man”, and any of the other Marvel or DC comics movies (each time they literally have to save the world from those who would destroy it). I could go on and on and on, but you get the picture. And just like the actions of kids after watching He-Man, every young boy stepped out of the theater and pretended they were Luke Skywalker, Iron Man, or Superman.
Now, we all know that the Avengers and the like are just fantasy, but that doesn’t stop us. We want to be known as courageous – the ones who can stop the bad guy and save the world…like He-Man. But did you know that the world has its share of real-life heroes – individuals of courage and strength of character? Of course you did. But have you heard about the one named Whipple? Now, for those over the age of about 35, I know what you just thought of…squeezing Charmin toilet paper. For those who happen to be younger, “google” it. But that is not the Whipple I am referring to. William Whipple was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. You want to see courage? Look no further than those who put pen to paper and signed that epic piece of parchment.
After signing the declaration, William Whipple went off to war with the Continental Army. He fought bravely at the Battle of Saratoga as a brigade commander. He is not as well known as Horatio Gates or Benedict Arnold (though who would want to famous for what he did). He was, however, selected to receive the surrender of the British army under General Burgoyne. This particular victory was instrumental because it convinced the French to enter the war as an American ally. In the end, General Whipple plays a supporting role in the revolution to Washington and Gates, but his involvement was important nonetheless, and he has his name on that declaration to prove it.
I want to close with the story of someone else who showed immense courage. If you really want to see courage on display, look no further than the young man named Daniel. What does it take to stand for what you believe, even at the expense of your own life? What kind of courage is reflected in someone who gets betrayed and thrown into a pit with lions. I don’t know, but that is the kind of courage I want. I want to be able to stand in the midst of starving lions and not fear what will happen, knowing God will take care of me. Of course, coming to grips with believing that is easier said than done. But it can be done. Daniel did it. We can do it. But it takes letting God be the prime factor in the equation. It means He has to infuse into us the courage necessary to stand for what we believe in, much like Whipple and the 55 others who, according to Benjamin Franklin, would, “…indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly…hang separately.”
So, the next time you are in the store walking down the toilet paper aisle, and you pass the Charmin, think of Whipple. Not the one from the commercial. Be thankful that our nation had courageous men like William and his patriot friends to start and finish the revolution. Celebrate this “real” He-Man.
Faith, Leadership, and History 