“Who do you want to be like when you grow up?” Have you ever been asked that question when you were growing up? Can you remember the answer you gave? Well, many people have been asked that question over the centuries. Many gave numerous answers as well. Some people said my dad, grandparents, mom, my teacher, pastor, coach, some sports or television personalities or world leaders. People hardly ever said like Jesus. He was far from their thoughts.
Having role models is not bad in itself. We are all at different stages or ages and need different role models. However, we need to be aware that role models can either be a good or poor example. We are surrounded by all sorts of examples – some good, some bad. Some of these, if not all, have let us down at one time or another. They fell from that pedestal we put them on.
When choosing role models, it is wise for us to seek God’s wisdom and guidance on that matter. He is the author of role-modeling, just as He is the author of creation. In the first place, God created us by giving us a free will. That is, the ability to make our own decisions. He also gave each of us the capacity and desire to learn. He intends for us to learn from those around us or from those who have long passed before us. It’s one of the best ways to learn. Hence it is wise for us to keep our eyes on someone or on others who are more experienced than us. We should always take time out to study their strengths and weaknesses and learn from their experiences, rather than emulating them wholescale.
Sometimes the choices of who our role models should be, and what we should be taking from them, are not all that obvious. For instance, Adam and Eve listened to the serpent, ate the forbidden fruit, and got themselves kicked out of the garden. That was a big mistake. Adam and Eve choose a poor role-model. They probably thought they had received some new revelation of truth: “Eat the fruit and be like God!” That sounded good to them.
Another example can be found in the passage from I Samuel. It stands out as one of the premier bad decisions of the Old Testament. The Israelites chose a king and began their roller coaster ride to destruction. God made it clear to Samuel: “They are not rejecting you, they are rejecting me.” The Israelites decided to model themselves after the surrounding heathen nations, rather than use the models from their own story.
The Old Testament is absolutely full of stories where God’s people exercised their free will and blew it. It is in this area of making wise choices that they failed miserably. We in the community of God have an awesome responsibility to help each other make the best decisions possible – to teach each other to be wise as serpents. This responsibility could apply to a myriad of areas, especially in the area of role-modeling.
An important first step in learning from our role models is to affirm that we are modeling admirable traits rather than the totality of the person. Let your role models be human, with all the weaknesses and failings that implies. Avoid any kind of worshipping others. This will set you up for a dangerous letdown. It is always wise to start your search for role models close to home, rather than in the ranks of power and prestige. You are sure to find role models that will inspire you, change you, and help you grow spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, and socially, so that, in the years to come, you will be able to continue to be a role model and a source of inspiration both to your family and to the wider community.
There is a role model who we can emulate wholescale – one who will never let us down, forsake or forget us. He is the Son of God, Jesus Christ! Here are some of his traits that we can and must adopt to follow in his steps:
1. We must put Christ first in our lives. He put God the Father first in his life and expects us to do the same.
2. We must be genuine. Christ did not put on a front. He was completely genuine.
3. We must be humble. Christ had humility in spite of who He was.
4. We must be bold, courageous and uncompromising. Christ was the epitome of them all.
5. We must show love and care for everyone. Christ was concerned about all kinds of people.
6. We should live our lives in service to others. Christ served others.
Remember: Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.
About the Author: Mrs. Marilyn Hodge owns and operates the Wellness Centre in the Farrington, Anguilla. The Centre offers Counselling Services by Appointment Only and has now published Positive Living Volume 2. Contact information: 476-3517 or email:marilynb@anguillanet.com. www.facebook.com/axawellnesscentre
