Role Models (Part 2)

And we’re back! Why is it so important for people to have role models? There are several reasons that I can think of from the top of my head. One is that a role model gives us something to aspire. For Americans in particular, a popular role model is the ones who grew up in a poor family and through blood, sweat and tears, despite all odds (cue inspiring music) he makes it big. And now, for a mere $500, you can find out how he did it! Most likely, he did it by selling tickets to gullible people who want to know how to get rich quickly. Cynicism aside, people want to know that their life can be better. If someone in even dire straits was able to make it, then anyone can make it. By following their footsteps, and finding out how these people made it, it might be possible for others to do it as well.

Another reason is they give us something to admire. As I had mentioned earlier, I had a friend who likes to root for Christians in sports. I suppose he wants to see the Christian being rewarded for his faithful service. Or maybe it’s that they share a common bond, that is, they are both Christians, so it’s easier to identify with the athlete. Or with all the athletes being self-righteous ego maniacs, it’s probably a relief to see a nice guy doing well. Of course, not every Christian is humble or nice, but chances are good that they are. They are what is known by experts as "positive role models" (as opposed to, you know, "negative role models" (another scientific term)).

The last reason I can think of is, some are role models because they inspire. (Wow, three reasons and they all rhyme! I’m good, oh yeah!) Seeing these people maintain their faith despite all the hardships they have, can help others keep their strong faith as well. One of the more famous role model of this type is Joni Erickson (?). When she was a girl, she dove into a pond and broke her neck, leaving her paralyzed. Despite that accident, she still believes in God, and gives motivational speeches to the public. Seeing her troubles, it makes our problems seem small. And learning about her great faith drives us to reexamine our own faith as well.

Those are all good reasons, but should we still have role models? On Tuesday, I mentioned buying my very first CD, which was Amy Grant, “The Collections”. What I didn’t say was where I bought it. It was in Baton Rouge, LA at a Jimmy Swaggart Revival. This was pre-Jimmy Fall, of course. For those of you who don’t know about him, he was a popular tele-evangelist in the 80’s. He had a multi-million dollar ministry with at least 2 television shows and many prime-time specials. He even had his own Seminary School. I still remember clearly the day when news of his fall broke. He was so popular, that the news was even broadcast on the radio. My mom was driving me to school in the morning, and we heard about how he was caught with a prostitute in a motel room. Apparently, it was staged, and the photographer knew where he was. After the news broke, at first he denied it, saying it was for “research”. However, eventually he publicly acknowledged it on national TV. He asked his wife and the Baptist Council for forgiveness. Though he didn’t commit a crime unlike others (*cough* Jim Baker *cough*), nevertheless his ministry fell apart almost overnight. He went through a year of penance, and afterward, he couldn’t fill a car, let alone a stadium like he used. My parents adored him, they bought all his tapes, even taped his shows, and obviously went to his conferences. Several years later, he was speaking at what is now the HP Pavilion, and he only filled the first 10 rows, about 100 people in total. How the mighty have fallen.

Even though he took it like a man and apologized, why didn’t he regain the fame and power he once had? If God can forgive him, why can’t we? I have 2 people I admire the most in the Bible (other than Jesus of course). One was John because of his humility. The second was David, also known as “The Man after God’s own heart”. I admire David, because all through his life he was a righteous man. Then he committed a host of sins all at once, for the love of a woman. He was rightfully punished, and he asked God for forgiveness. God gave it. Even during his punishment, David acted righteously. What God gives, he takes away. I read some books who talked about David and how his life was never as great after he sinned. And they used that as a cautionary tale about how we shouldn’t sin either. I disagree with that conclusion. I firmly believe that people can still do good despite their sins. They can still be role models. What about all those examples of drug addicts turned into Christians? They sinned too, and even after their sin, they still did God’s work. David was a man, with man’s desires. That shouldn’t drive us away, it should highlight the fact that even "The Man after God’s heart" still had to battle the same lusts, the same sins that we battle. It should draw us more sympathetically to him, not drive him away.

Ultimately, the only role model I have is the one who didn’t sin. Jesus. He is the ultimate paragon of who we should aspire, admire and inspire to be. He, too, experienced all the temptations that we did, but unlike us, he didn’t succumb to them. If you want someone to admire, admire Jesus, not another mortal. But if you do want to admire a mortal, admire someone from the Bible. There are so many better role models in there than in the world today.