As you think back over your lifetime, you will probably remember several people, who stand out as being exceptional role models. For me they would include my Mom, my Dad, a math teacher and several pastors. Sometimes you will think of a coach or music teacher or friend. But as I was looking at the scripture readings for last Sunday, a new thought came to mind. Who would I pick as role models from the Bible. Now maybe we should say one more thing about role models as we are getting started. Role models aren’t perfect. Role models make mistakes and sometimes don’t really model the way they want us to follow. They would be the first to tell us that, too. For me that is healthy and comforting. As I try to lead my life following those examples, I am going to make mistakes, foul up, whatever you want to call it. When I want to be a role model for others, I’m gonna do the same thing. I’m not perfect, and neither were the persons in the Bible we try to emulate as best we can. There are many we could choose, but today let’s look at Isaiah, Peter and Paul. In comparing their stories, there are some joyful nuggets we can learn. I’m including a short version of these three scriptures, but please take time to read them fully.

In Isaiah 6:1-8, Isaiah’s thoughts and impressions were swept away to a vision of the Lord, and seraphim exalting Him with “Holy, holy, holy”. Isaiah’s surroundings shook and were filled with smoke when he spoke, “Woe to me!” “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, … and I have seen the Lord Almighty.” When the seraphim had touched Isaiah’s mouth with a live coal from the altar and said “your guilt is taken away”, Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I (Isaiah) said, “Here am I. Send me!” In Luke 5:1-11 Simon, also called Peter, was mending his nets when Jesus asked to speak to the growing crowd of people from his boat. After he had finished speaking, he prompted Peter to pull away from shore and put down his nets. When the catch of fish was so large that it nearly capsized the boat in the same place there had been no fish a few hours earlier, the fishermen’s amazement turned to fear. “But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord. … And Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men. … they left everything and followed him.” In 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Paul reminds us that our Christian life is all about Jesus. He tells about his experience being the last apostles chosen. He said, “… I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” What do these three Biblical men have in common that can be true for us even today? 1) God called each of these men to do the task he had planned ahead of time for them. 2) Each one of them had an excuse why they didn’t feel worthy nor able to accept God’s calling – at first. 3) But for each man, God assured him the he could complete the calling. The important truth for each was that God was not depending on their ideas, or their strength, their words or their power. How does that give us hope and joy? God has a plan for each one of us as well. When we come to know him, and feel God is asking us to step out of our comfort zone and complete the task at hand, we can hear God say to us, “Don’t be afraid”. We can know for sure as Paul said, it is not our power that will complete the task, but God’s power, strength, words and ability that will see it through. When you hear God calling you, like Simon Peter heard by the Sea of Galilee, you can say “Yes” with confidence. Whether for a small task or a monumentous one, God will give you the gifts and talents you need to honor his Holy name. As we read more and more stories in the Bible we find other persons God used for his purposes. But although it is helpful to have the knowledge of these wonderful Biblical examples to follow, it is the most important to have a personal relationship with the Bible’s author himself. “Turn your eyes upon Jesus Look full, in his wonderful face And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of his glory and grace”

Hillsong Worship, This is Our God Songwriters: Traditional / Ken Bible Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus lyrics © Music Services, Inc

In the grace, Spirit and love of Christ, Carolyn Moe