Who is my role model?

10 Jan Who is my role model?

Read Ephesians 5:1-2
Thought for the Day: Who is my role model?

In one of the more memorable cultural dialogues of the 1990s, two All-Star NBA players weighed in on this question. On one hand, Charles Barkley famously declared, “I am not a role model… parents should be role models.” Essentially, Barkley contended that while celebrities had been elevated to a place of honor in society, it often has more to do with being able to dunk a basketball than living a life of integrity. Unsurprisingly, a lot of people had a lot of things to say about this. In response, Karl Malone wrote a thoughtful essay considering the very nature of what it means to be a role model and who gets to be one. From his perspective, “We don’t choose to be role models, we are chosen. Our only choice is whether to be a good role model or a bad one.” Rather than letting celebrities off the hook, Malone felt that, for better or for worse, everyone who is looked up to in society in any way is a role model. And, as Christians, this includes each one of us!

So, who is our role model? Scripture is quite clear that no one but Jesus provides the perfect blueprint for our lives. In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul made it clear, “Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us.” When we try to imitate those in our culture, we find ourselves settling. When anyone tries to imitate specific people, we ultimately are let down because of their imperfections. When we set our eyes on Jesus, we follow the example of the only one who perfectly exemplifies love, grace, and humility.

As followers of Jesus, we learn to love God and love others. When we live out our faith, we still won’t be perfect role models. By imitating Jesus, we follow the lesson He taught: “Let your light shine before others”! When we learn to be more like Jesus, we become role models by pointing others to our Savior!

In Christ,
Pastors Stan and David