The phrase may have become passé, but for quite a while we
used to hear people proclaim, “That’s how I roll.” In other words, “That’s how
I am,” or “That’s the way I do things.” But sometimes how you “roll” can cause
problems – especially if you’re a role model.
We saw contrasting examples of this recently, leading up to
and immediately after the Super Bowl. After his team defeated the San Francisco
49ers to earn the right to play in the Super Bowl, Richard Sherman, a talented
defensive back for the Seattle Seahawks, went on a post-game rant that prompted
extensive debate over the following days.
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| The only problem with putting people on pedestals is gravity: They have an annoying habit of falling off. |
Sherman used no profanity, but his contentious comments
reminded some viewers of the antics of professional wrestlers. Frankly, my first
thought was the NFL had merged with the WWE. Apparently his competitive juices
were still flowing after the final seconds had ticked away. The problem was, prior to his game-clinching defensive play
and subsequent in-your-face commentary, many watching the game outside of
Seattle hardly knew him. And as they say, first impressions are lasting.
Then there were the measured, sportsmanlike reactions of
Denver Broncos’ quarterback Peyton Manning after his team was soundly thrashed
by Sherman’s Seahawks in the Super Bowl, 43-8. Although clearly disappointed,
his demeanor reflected the image Manning has cultivated as one of the NFL’s top
quarterbacks.
So is Manning a better role model than Sherman? Who knows? Whether
it’s right or not, we build pedestals for people – entertainers, athletes,
politicians, even spiritual leaders – who seem larger than life. But is their
public persona real or fabricated? Genuine – or the product of crafty marketing
and packaging? Do we really know “how they roll”?
Even the best, most appealing role models stumble. No one’s
perfect, right? Whether it’s someone whose name rates front-page or evening
news coverage, or some lesser known person we admire at work, church or in our
community, if we probe deeply enough, we’ll find feet of clay. So what are we
to do when our role models decide to roll wrongly?
In the Bible, Jesus instructed His followers, “Judge not, or you too will be judged. For in
the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you
use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew
7:1-2). This might seem hard to apply,
especially when considering persons like the reigning queen and king of chaos,
Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber, but it’s true – we really don’t know them, or what
makes them do the crazy things they do.
We also need to realize,
whether we asked for the assignment or not, we’re probably someone else’s
role model. It might be a colleague or coworker, child or grandchild, or
someone you interact with at church or a volunteer organization where you serve.
People are watching, and unwittingly we can become examples for good or ill.
Finally, we need to recognize
there is only one role model truly worthy of following, only one that will
never disappoint or disillusion us with bad behavior: Jesus Christ. The Bible
tells us, “Jesus Christ the same
yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Earlier in the same book
we’re told to be “looking to
Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set
before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right
hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews
12:2).
And the apostle
Paul, whose writings were known for profound theology, summed it up when he
stated: “I resolved to know nothing while
I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).
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