Modeling It!
Modeling
It looks like a glamorous career choice.
Lights.
Cameras.
Newspapers.
Magazines.
Yet, I was surprised to learn that the medan wage for models in 2012 was only slightly over $18,000 a year. Much lower than I expected. I realize the wage can be significantly higher for models that hit it big. As in any career choice there are pros and cons, but I want to take you beyond a discussion of a modeling career to a modeling life.
An Awesome Compliment
The Apostle Paul paid the Thessalonians church an incredible complement in
1 Thessalonians 1:6,7 NIV You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 1 Thessalonians 1:6,7 NIV
A Modeling Life
A life well lived looks like something, but in a culture of compromise and convenience, we need some models to show us what it looks like.
I recently had a friend model courage. She wasn’t showy or pretentious! She simply made a choice to live out her faith in a difficult situation. And when I faced a similar situation a few weeks later. I remembered what her faith looked like, and I had the courage to do the right thing! Thank you, Bonnie Pait! Thank you, Sherry Wilder!
It doesn’t matter how old we are, we forget, and a great model helps us remember! And it works so much better than a string around ya finger! Somehow I always forget why the string is there! (Remember that old adage, “Tie a string…” Oh never mind! That is so old school. But I’m NOT old!)
Advice for Young Leaders
Paul gave his young protege’ some powerful advice in 1 Timothy 4:1 NIV. “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
Paul realized that being a young leader was challenging for Timothy. Sometimes a young leader’s ideas and methods of leading can be challenged by older people. Paul challenged Timothy to model faith and purity. He challenged him to model his faith in Christ by the way he talked, behaved and loved!
That kinda of advice is good for all of us, not just the young leaders!
The Gauntlet has been thrown for believers of all ages.
Will you accept the challenge?
Model your faith! Model your love!
Model purity.
Stop looking at people that don’t know God for your example.
Go to God’s Word, the Bible, not popular opinion is the high mark of successful, God pleasing living.
If we are not careful we make the wrong people our role models.
Just because someone is great at basketball, doesn’t mean they are the person to pull a bad tooth or give you a flu shot. They don’t have the experience or the knowledge to do either. But way too often our young people are unable to distinguish their stardom in a particular arena from the star’s ability to be a life model for them. Being a great movie star, or business person doesn’t equip them to be a life model. Not when you realize this life is preparing us for the next life. There is only one way to heaven and that is Jesus Christ the sinless Son of God. There is no other name under heaven.
Have a life model.
Jesus. Godly friends.
Godly heroes that model
their love, faith and purity
instead of just talking about it.
Be a life model.
Not just when it convent,
or easy,
or when it’s self-serving.
Live it.
Repent when you don’t.
Be courageous when it’s hard.
Lean on God when it seems impossible.
Children need to see it!
Seeing is believing. And sometimes we don’t even know what it is- until we see it.
That’s why I am so thrilled that the manufactures of the Heroes of the Faith DVDs have deeply discounted their prices. They’ve just been marked down from $14.99 to $7.99! Yeah!
They are designed for ages 8-12. (But I love them. My grands are coming over tonight and we are watching some! So excited.)
These animated videos include:
- English and Spanish languages with optional English subtitles.
- A documentary.
- Reproducible study material.
Talk about life models!
These heroes have earned their place on the list: John Wesley, John Bunyan, Richard Wurmbrand, Eric Liddell, William Booth, Augustine, Amy Carmichael, Gladys Aylward, Samuel Morris, William Tyndale, Corrie ten Boon; Perpetual, John Wesley; Jim Elliot.
Even if you don’t use videos in your class I hope you’ll share some of these great men and women, Heroes of the Faith, stories with your class.
What an inspiration their lives are to me and can be to your children as well!
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