Ok, so I hate being sick. It gives me weird dreams, and makes me thing about deep things that shouldn’t be tampered with even when your blood stream isn’t flowing with mass amounts of cold remedies. Oh well. Here it goes.
I have thought a lot recently about the term “role model” and its importance in modern society. I have no idea why, but the Lord said think about it so I have to. My best outlet is through a blog, or some sort of journaling thing… so here I am. “Who knows where thoughts come from. They just appear.”
Defining any term is the hardest thing for me. Within a definition comes about 30 questions that arise for want of a definite answer. For me, the questions never seem to stop. So, in my struggle to answer said web of riddles, I turn to what the world has shown my through countless observances and experiences. I have come to define “role model” as someone who encompasses (and nearly masters) traits and behaviors that favor kindness, gentleness, and everything the world may lack. These people are [usually] pointed out by someone who is looking to mimic the actions and deeds of someone who spreads joy, compassion, wisdom, strength, and a long list of other things to people who they meet.
Can you master the art of being a role model? Hell if I know. I’m 23, and for the first time about 3 weeks ago I first thought of myself as a role model. I can tell you now that I am far from a master of anything I do, or pretend to do. I haven’t spent my life working to become the role model type. If that were the case, I would be the worst person ever. “Hey! Look at me! I have it all together, and people should do what I do because I’m right. Mary Jo said she wanted to be like me, so it must be true.” I call BS! Gimme your cards. I think that as humans living after the Fall, we spend our lives chasing something: Grades, boys, God, cars, hell even ourselves at times. I think once we have it “figured out” for ourselves only then can we begin to tell people what worked for us. We don’t have anything mastered, but we have things sorted out enough to know how to conquer ourselves and the self-doubt that plagues everyone until the bell rings for the next round.
Living as a role model is strange. As a Christ follower, it’s weird to think of myself as someone who is a role model. I mean, the ultimate role model is obviously Jesus, but we tend to follow other people’s example of their interpretation. Confused? Yeah. Me too. The more I grow older and do my own reading and understanding of the scriptures, the more I stop leaning on man and start leaning on the guidance I receive from the Spirit. I look at what Jack Smack is doing over here, and then look at what John Doe is doing over there, and they both claim to be living the “correct” way of life under the Lord. Uh… for guidance, I turn to scriptures. I found Ephesians 4. I love this! Check it:
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Eph. 4.1-2
We’re supposed to live or lives the way we were told to when the Lord first called us. I recently read in the book Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell that what ever you are called to do, do it in the name of the Lord. If you’re called to be an accountant, be honest and fruitful in the name of the Lord. If you’re called to be a doctor, heal and save lives in the name of the Lord. If you’re called into ministry, let your soul burn and rejoice in the name of the Lord. Don’t compare your life to the works of another.
Anyone can give you advice and words of wisdom in the run of things, but it ultimately comes down to how you use their words in your own journey. If anyone should be taken seriously, wouldn’t you think it would be your brother or sister who encourages you to find your own way? Someone who tells you that you’re not alone in the hell you’re fighting through? This is why I love my friends. They understand that they can’t fight my battles, but they can sure help arm my soul through encouragement and laughter.
Maybe that’s what a good role model looks like: The quiet soldier listening and praying constantly for your troubles. When asked for advice, encouragement and love are the only words spoken. From what I’ve seen, that’s the biggest thing the world is lacking in all fronts. Maybe role models are giant Hallmark cards in human form.
But…is that all? Can they not fight and share our wisdom? I think maybe they can. Later in Ephesians 6, we get to the Armor of God. Read it again.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor: of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6.10-18
I had a professor once say that in the Armor of God mentioned, there is nothing that protects the backside of the soldier. So, would he then not rely on his comrades to get his back in the battle? I had another professor explain the Trinity as the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost existing in perfect harmony; living in perfect community. Since we were created in the image of God, were we not created to live in community with our neighbors? Yet another professor defined love as the perfect balance of grace and truth. Too much truth is damning, and too much grace is flattery. Wow. Add those 3 things together, you’ve got this crazy bunch of theology screaming at you to encourage and fight for your brother or sister.
So maybe the term role model can be summed up like this: A person who is willing to listen and encourage the faint at heart while standing with them in the roughest of storms, and the toughest of battles.
This is idea is in its infancy. What I said was all revelation and word vomit in the span of about 45 minutes. I don’t now where it’s going, but I kinda like it.
If anyone reads this whole thing, I'll give them a dollar.
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