Mulan: Unexpected heroics
Mulan is not as strong as the common Chinese soldier. She’s not as skilled. Heck, technically she’s even the wrong sex to defend her country from invading Huns. But in order to protect her father, Mulan dresses in Dad’s old armor and heads off to war.
She’s eventually exposed and sent back home. But even disarmed, Mulan helps rescue the emperor, defeat the Huns and save the country. She had no business becoming a hero—but she became one anyway.
It’s interesting how many unexpected heroes the Bible has. Abraham was 100 years old before he became a father, but he founded a whole bevy of nations. Moses had some sort of a speech impediment, but he managed to lead his people out of Egypt. David was an insignificant shepherd—and an afterthought seventh son to boot—but he went on to become Israel’s most famous king. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness,” God is quoted in 2 Corinthians 12:9. And just like Mulan, maybe we can become unlikely heroes, too.