Earthly Examples

The Apostle Paul wrote, “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.”

Early on in life, I looked to my grandfather as a role model, someone I admired. Not that he was perfect – my grandmother made it perfectly clear that he was not. But he obviously cared deeply for others, and he served the church with dedication. He never had a lot of money or fine things, but he had a deep love of life itself. And from a young age, he was someone I looked up to. And I often thought, “I want to live like that.”

We all need role models. Of course, for those who seek to follow him, Jesus is our ultimate example. But we need other earthly examples too. We need people who have modeled a way of life, a way of giving, a way of serving, a way of loving. 

If you were to have a personal board of directors, people you admire, people you look up to, people who could hold you accountable, who would they be?

Let us pray: God of all generations, I give you thanks for Popsi – my grandfather, and for the many others who have influenced and shaped my life for the better. We each give you thanks for the positive role models we’ve had in the past. And we ask that on this journey of life, you would surround us with those who would show us the path and draw us closer to you. Grant us teachers and leaders who are worthy of following. And, grant us wisdom and discernment so we may choose them wisely. Amen.