The Role Model the World Needs – You
“…be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”(1 Timothy 4:12b)
In his piece, At-Risk Boys Need Male Role Models, Frank Manfre makes some very interesting observations. Boys today, he says, are twice as likely as girls to be diagnosed with an attention-deficit or learning disorder; more likely to score worse on standardized reading and writing tests; more likely to be held back in school and more likely to drop out of school. “If you do graduate, you’re less likely to go to college. If you do go to college, you will get lower grades and, once again, you will be less likely to graduate. You’ll be twice as likely to abuse alcohol, and until you are 24, you are five times as likely to kill yourself. You are more than 16 times as likely to go to prison. With each generation, boys are moving away from their connection to mature masculinity, family and community. The sad fact is that too many young men are left to puzzle out manhood alone. Growing up without a father, mentor or positive role model can have a devastating impact on a boy.”
Few things are as vital to the human experience as the power of personal example or, otherwise put, modelling.
Individual successes or failures are influenced by the examples we are exposed to. We learn more from the examples of others than we do from abstractions. The import of this is significant in this current age.
Popular culture is today throwing up a potpourri of role models; glamorous celebrities who determine what is hip and trendy; serial monogamists who elevate all things material. The world where people were respected as a result of the virtues they possessed has since been replaced by a global culture of consumerism that measures a man by the depth of his pocket, and the breadth of his fame. In the modern world, it matters little how you attain fortune and fame, it only matters that you have them. News items across the world are riddled with not only celebrity scandals but also the increasing failings of politicians, statesmen and corporate executives. Great personal examples are in short supply.
This truth is, the world is in desperate need of role models. The future of our children depends on it. Great men keep an eye on posterity. We must live not just in the present, but consider how our word and actions today affect the people around us, particularly those who will grow up to inherit tomorrow. This is not just a message for older men, but also for younger men, who must actively seek out direct or indirect models and conduct themselves in such a manner as to be a model to their peers. Now, do you know that God has equipped you to be a model?
The Bible declares us to be the light of the world, and the salt of the earth. And so if anyone has the capacity to blaze the trail and be the standard in every sphere of life, it is you. In our opening text, Paul urges the young Timothy to be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith and in purity. This call echoes to us today. You are the difference the world is seeking. You can inspire people to change, one right word, one right action at a time. You are the light of the world. You influence the world. The world cannot influence you. That is why the Bible refers to you as the salt of the earth.
Philippians 2:15-16 says, “that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life. It is in holding fast to the word of God that we stand ourselves out as role models. Go ahead, make a commitment to set great personal examples everywhere you find yourself. Start from your home, your office, your business, your neighbourhood. Be that one man, men will use as a reference point to model their behaviours after.
It is in response to this role model deficit that we currently seek to build a community of mentorship under Discovery for Men which is freely open to all. I encourage you to take part in it. You can sign up as a mentor, and seize the opportunity to guide young men under a non-parasitic system, or you can sign up to be mentored. To sign up, send you name, phone number and email to mentorship@discoveryformen.org and we will reach out to you with other details of the program.
Heaven and earth are counting on us to arise and take our place as sons of God. Creation awaits your manifestation.
Interestingly, December is our month of Supernatural Manifestation and our theme scripture for the month is, Matthew 5:14, “you are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Obscurity is over in your life. This month, the Lord will cause you to shine. Kings shall come to the brightness of your rising. You will finish the year stronger than you began, in Jesus name!
I look forward to reading your testimonies as they roll in. Again, if you require counselling or want us to prayerfully agree with you, do send me a mail at pastor@pastortaiwoministries.org.
I encourage you to visit our website; www.discoveryformen.org and blog.pastortaiwoministries.org for other men related issues.
Welcome to the new month.
God bless you.
