Role Models

It is funny who we let into our lives to be our role models. We would each say that we only have people in our life that are the ultimate role model of who we would like to be, however, how many times to we let others influence us in the way we think about ourselves or even act toward one another.

I noticed this about myself today while at the gym. I had just finished 15 minutes of weights and running a mile, and I have to say that I was feeling pretty good about myself, not arrogant by any means, just feeling healthy and strong and proud of myself for fitting some exercise into my day. I finished up my workout with a cool down walk. The walking track is right above the main weight lifting area of the gym. From my vantage point I could see all kinds of people in much better physical shape than me. My early pride in my workout and progress slowly faded away as I gazed upon women lifting massive weights with ease when I had just struggled to do a measly 35 pounds on the curl machine. I started feeling worse and worse, but then I stopped myself. This was absolutely ridiculous. I had been successful in my workout. Looking upon others to judge how I should look or feel was not the right attitude I should have.

I realize that I do this in my Christian walk as well. I am always comparing myself to the women in church who always volunteer and are at every women's bible study class. I can feel good about my bible study routine, but then I will hear about a lady who gets up at 5:00 a.m. and prays and studies for 2 hours and my spiritual balloon bursts.

I am coming to grips with the fact that God does not ask us to look around at others to judge ourselves. He only asks us to look to him, to be Christ-like. Sure, there are things we can learn from each other, but our ultimate goal is to be more like our Heavenly Father.


1 Corinthians 11:1
"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."


1 Peter 2:21
"For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps."


Ephesians 5:1-2
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

May I remember these verses the next time my eyes look to worldly role models instead of my Heavenly one.