Role Models

As infants and toddlers, we were not aware of what was harmful and what was good for us.  Our parents and others were the ones who taught us and created an environment of safety around us.  As we matured, we continued to learn and observe the way things were done. 

To grow and mature well individuals need good role models.  Role models provide inspiration, guidance, and a framework for growth by demonstrating how to navigate challenges and achieve goals.  They show us by their example, how to think and act well so we achieve goals and when we face the challenges we inevitably will along the way. 

Truth is, we all have some that are good and some not so good. If we’re not careful, our maturity can be stunted by following the ideas and behaviours of poor role models.  Here’s one example of a role model to avoid:

The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. Luke 8:14

How many of us have learned lessons from this kind of a role model? Our world is full of them, from individuals in our own homes to media persons, politicians, or just models we see in advertising. What does that look like?

We are all born into the world with nothing but some of us, like the seed that fell into thorns which began to choke the life out of it, when we received the influence of poor role models, started to worry and fret about the things that happened around us.  As we began to mature, we thought that the pleasures of this world held the answer to our problems, only to find out that they caused us even more heartache. 

Here's what God’s Word teaches us and gives us as a model to follow

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. Proverbs 11:24-25

Who’s a role model for you in giving freely, who blesses so others are enriched, being patient and forgiving, always seeing the best in others?  The list can go on and on.  These are the role models for us to learn from and to model our own values and behaviour after. 

Loving God, Thank You for Jesus who is the ultimate role model in what it means to get to know Your will and follow it every single day.  No one was more generous and loving than Jesus.  No one followed Your will more closely than Jesus. 

Help us to be spiritually awake today and to take the time to watch and reflect and learn from healthy role models what it means to live well. Give us strength and perseverance to put those lessons into practice so we, in our turn, can be good role models for others.  Amen

Take a moment and think about a good role model or two in your life.   Give thanks for them.  Maybe a text or a note of gratitude to them would be in order.