Girl Talk: Who's Your Role Model?

Role Models

No, I’m not talking about the movie I’m talking about who we look up to. Who are some of the women or girls you look up too? Maybe some of the ones I mentioned in my last article? Or maybe Miley Cyrus, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan. Or it might not even be any of those girls. You’re probably thinking “Eww no, not them! They’ve really gone down hill” Yes they might have good music or were good actresses but were they good role models to have? Are the ones you have now good role models?

When I was younger I went through fazes just like any other normal preteen girl does. I liked Hilary Duff for a while. I had her posters and bought all her movies and I loved all of her clothes! Then it was Chloe Sullivan from Smallville. I wanted to be a top news reporter and dress like her and carry around notes books and wear glasses, just like her. When I got a little older I got rid of all that stuff and thought how stupid and childish I had been. But then came Taylor Swift. I loved her! She could really sing and play guitar (something I still can’t do). She was amazing! And then I got older and grew in my relationship with God and He started to show me the reality of these girls I’d made my role models.

Hillary Duff and the character Chloe Sullivan aren’t Christians. Taylor Swift is supposed to be a Christian but does her music show it? God showed me what her music was usually about: Boys, boys, falling in love…with a boy, boys, getting revenge on a girl that took your boy, etc. Now, I’m not totally saying she’s a horrible person but is she someone I should look up to and model my life after? Not really.

Instead of looking for role models in magazines and TV shows and movies, look for godly women in your church; yes, I said in your church. My church is small but it’s filled with godly women who love the Lord and would do anything for others. Many of them are around my mom’s age but I found myself wanting to get to know them. And even though they might not look at themselves as role models they are very willing to encourage me as a young women looking for wisdom and advice and just be my friend.

Some of these women didn’t start out as role models. One came from a non-Christian family had a very hard life. You wouldn’t know it though. She now has two young boys and a good husband but she didn’t know anything about God until she came to our church yard sale a few years ago. One of our youth persuaded her to come to church on Sunday. She did and she and her family have been coming ever since.

Another woman had been through something traumatic as a young girl but never doubted God loved her and cared for her. She has become a great friend and role model to me now, even though she’d many years older than me.

The woman who is in charge of the women’s ministry is very special. She is always joyful and does everything she can to make others happy. She has had some terrible things happen in her life but doesn’t let it affect how she interacts with others. She is so strong. I see her joy and peace every time I see her at church. She’s never lost her faith in God.

And of course I can’t forget my mom. She is the greatest woman I will ever look up to and I don’t know how my life would be without her. She is the greatest influence on me and a strong godly woman.

Think of the women around you, at school, in your family, in your church. I’m sure you’ll find there are many godly role models around you. The women that I mentioned are the ones I look up to. They aren’t rich or famous, in magazines or movies but they all love the Lord and are great role models.

Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. – Titus 2:3-5

Sometimes when we are so consumed with worldly role models and what they’re wearing or doing we get distracted from what God wants us to do: to live THE Cause, telling friends and family about Jesus who is the best role model of all.