The Importance of Role Models

I would imagine we all have people we look up to. A significant person in our lives, such as a teacher, or someone not directly involved, but who we admire, like an actor. Some role models are better than others: some help us in our lives, providing good, healthy advice; others teach us some less desirable things and can let us down. In fact, all earthly role models will fail at some point.

So what’s the answer? Well, if we want to be a role model to others (whether we like it or not, many of us are, regardless of whether we have ‘given permission’ as it were: fathers, teachers, co-workers, etc... all potential role models) then we need to have a good foundation. If all our attitudes are based on someone else, then we effectively become that other person, complete with their failings.

Personally, I look up to my father: I think he is a fantastic role model. However, there are a few things which I think could be done better, and so I try. When a situation arises where I know his reaction could be less desirable, I try to make a better choice: building on his influence to (hopefully) make me a better person.

There’s nothing wrong with role models. They really are incredibly beneficial. But trying to be a better copy of an earthly role model will only get so far. Ideally we need something better. Lucky for us Christians, we have something better: we have Jesus. Looking at his life, we have a fantastic example of how to live our lives. But even he had a role model: all his actions were driven by the spirit of God.

God, as the perfect role model to Jesus, allowed Jesus to become the perfect role model for us. This is the standard we must try to reach. But it’s more than that. Not only is Jesus a perfect role model for us to look up to, the relationship between Jesus and God shows us the kind of relationship to really impact someone’s life.

God was more than a role model to Jesus: he was a father – the Father. Being a father is more than just providing a few sperm. It’s the direct involvement in a person’s life, helping them to reach their fullest potential. Fathers have a huge responsibility: they are to teach their children how to act, what to say, how to treat others, how to treat spouses, what is appropriate and when. (Women also have a huge responsibility, but I’ll focus on the men because I believe men need to get their act together, destroy negative reputations and reclaim their manhood.)

But it’s not just about our own children. As I said, we are a potential role model to far more people than we may think. It is not good enough to only do a good job with our own kids. We need to do a good job with other people’s kids as well. If we believe that God is the supreme Father, and if we believe that Christians are to be God’s representatives on earth, then we need to start living it. We need to take our fatherhood seriously. We need to get beyond this “they’re not my kids so they’re not my problem” attitude. We need to get beyond the “I’ll keep them at arm’s length... just in case” mindset.

God is described as the “father to the fatherless.” The fact is, there are some kids out there who have a man in the house, but don’t really have a father. Like I said, a few sperm does not define a father. If we care about the state of our nation’s children – those who will be running things when we are in our old age – then we need to do something.

We need to get involved. We need to put aside selfish ambition and love others. I don’t mean pretending to love others (it’s not about image, it’s about action), really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honouring each other.

Now that’s a role model.