For the past twenty-five years I have selected one voice from the past to accompany on my pilgrimage through this often crazy world. Each year I would pick one pastor or theologian and make it a point to read their sermons or books, study their biographies, and learn about their ministries – all in order to let them be a mentor and a pastor to me. In so doing I have learned much from men like Calvin, Edwards, Augustine, Chapman Moody, Spurgeon, and, most recently, Thomas Brooks. Role models are important.
I have always believed that it is important to have role models. I am not sure where I got the idea, but when I was in high school, I developed a list of ten men I wanted to be like. I decided that I did not want to become someone by accident – I wanted to have a goal as to what kind of man I would be. So I thought about my Dad – his greatest strength (and he has many) is his unmistakable love for his wife. Dr. Olson from church was a model of humbly enjoying life. I never heard Mr. Calvert speak a hasty word – he was very careful in his speech. Mr. Dudek was the most generous man I have ever met. Rocket Bergerson was compassionate to a fault. Mr. Clifford was a model for my prayer life.
This past year I came across a very similar plan in Tomas Brooks’ appendix to his Memoir. After a brief account of his difficult years of ministry, he attaches a summary of his final message to the church he pastored in which he offers his congregation a legacy that he wants them to embrace. Writing in 1662, he says:
“I would leave you with this: Set the highest examples and patterns before your face of grace and godliness for your imitation. In the business of faith, set an Abraham before your eyes; in the business of courage, set a Joshua; in the business of uprightness, set a Job; of meekness, a Moses, etc… There is a disadvantage that redounds[1] to Christians by looking more backwards than forwards. Men look on whom they excel, not on those they fall short of. Of all examples, set them before you that are most eminent for grace and holiness, for communion with God, and acting for God. Next to Christ, set the pattern of the choicest saints before you.”[2]
In the past I have challenged young folks I have mentored to make such lists and have often gotten a negative response: “I don’t want to have idols in my life, following Jesus is good enough for me.”
Well, this attitude is actually quite unbiblical! In Philippians 4:9, Paul exhorts the church to make him a role model: “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” And in his first letter to Timothy, Paul instructs that young man to, “set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)
Role models – examples of the Christian life well lived, are an essential part of healthy growth in godly living. Who are your role models? And what kind of role model are you? To whom are you intentionally modelling the life of faith?
These are great questions to be asking yourself right now. Here in sunny, southern California, things are finally opening up – folks are beginning to ‘dine in’ at the favorite restaurants, limited crowds are watching high school football and lacrosse games, classrooms are filling up. People are reconnecting. Each of the men who have served me as role models share something in common – they connected with me. Mr. Calvert hired a fourteen year old kid to help him with his yard work. Mr. Clifford got involved in high school ministry at our church. Mr. Dudek and Dr. Olson took a special interest in their own children’s friends. None of them needed to do such things – but they made a heavenly difference in more lives than my own. As we reconnect, how can you be intentionally and personally present in the lives of those who can benefit from your example? And post-Covid, how can you seek out the company of those whose example you might benefit from?
Your Pastor,
Bob Bjerkaas
[1] The word ‘redounds’ is not so common today! It comes from the same Latin root as our word ‘redundant’ and basically means to cause as an effect of; to return, or recoil. A dictionary example is “Glory redounds to the brave.” Glory is the effect caused by bravery. Brooks’ statement means that the effect of only comparing yourself to Christians whom you perceive to be below you in gifts and graces will bring a disadvantageous effect.
[2] Thomas Brooks, “Appendix to Memoir,” The Works of Thomas Brooks, Vol. 1 (Carlisle, Pennsylvania: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1980) p. lxiv.