Almost all of us, regardless of our age group, look up to people who are role models for us. In particular, those who are still young in the faith, look for role models to imitate. This is quite natural and serves as a support for a “newborn” in the faith. In his letter to Timothy, Paul writes: “But be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Most certainly, many looked to Timothy as their role model.
It can be very helpful to have a good role model. But what happens if this support suddenly disappears from our lives? There are many reasons why this can happen. For instance, it can be distance that separates our lives and connections. Perhaps as a young person you start studying further away, where you are no longer supported by your faithful family, church or circle of friends. Suddenly you are on your own and, figuratively speaking, no longer feel “the ground under your feet” in your faith. You are in danger of losing your spiritual bearings and getting lost. Even if you have been serving Jesus for a long time and are seemingly firm in your faith, you can get into situations like this. You then feel like a single coal that has been taken from the embers and must now continue to burn alone. Perhaps someone very close to you has suddenly been torn from your life and you ask yourself: How will things go on now? These situations can become a strong test of our faith and cause us to waver.
Quite early in my walk of faith, some practical experiences taught me that we must not depend on other people to further our spiritual life. People come and go in our lives. Stable long-term friendships and relationships are very valuable and important. Nevertheless, we must keep ourselves from becoming dependent on other people, especially in regard to our spiritual lives. As human beings, we are subject to changing circumstances and can never offer each other support that will last forever. At the latest, such support crumbles with death.
In addition, people are often fickle when it comes to their opinions or beliefs. We see a clear example of this in Jesus’ last days. While a large crowd cheered on Palm Sunday as He entered Jerusalem, just a few days later there were loud cries for His death: “Crucify him, crucify him!” Out of fear or due to the influence of the Pharisees, there was no more cheering from the crowd. Only a very few people remained faithful to Jesus right up to the cross. People are impressionable and can turn their backs on convictions that they were apparently still firmly convinced of just yesterday. Remember: even the best role models can fall, those you would never have thought possible. Yes, people can disappoint. When strong, influential leaders suddenly take a different spiritual path or even turn their backs on God, it can shake those who have relied on that person and built their lives around them, leading to a crisis of faith. Why is it that even strong role models can fall? There are certainly many reasons for this. I think the main reason, which includes all other factors, is that as long as we live here on earth, we are exposed to the dangers of a fallen world and the powers of the devil. He fights to the end to take souls away from God. We know that the devil is a lying, dangerous creature who is very good at disguising himself. None of us will be spared from him. That is why we have to be vigilant to the end!
In all this human fickleness and impermanence, however, there is One who is eternally unchanging: Jesus Christ. We can build our lives securely on Him. Nothing else can offer us such a secure hold as we have in Jesus Christ. Moses, David, and Isaiah were already able to experience that God is an eternal rock. “Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock” (Isaiah 26:4 ESV). This characteristic of God has never changed. Hebrews 13:8 says: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Where people can become unfaithful, He remains faithful.
He is also a reliable teacher who, through the Holy Spirit, will always show us the right way to the right goal. Particularly in this day and age, when we have online access to all kinds of beliefs, there is a danger of inner confusion and instability. While gifted teachers with leadership potential can distract our focus away from Christ – either to themselves or to the world (to a more comfortable path) – the Holy Spirit will always direct our focus to Jesus Christ and His Word. He will always show us the goal, eternity, and give us clear direction.
If we have found this secure footing in Jesus Christ, nothing can separate us from Him and His love. “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38). Even if everything around us is shaken, He remains! To revisit the illustration of the single piece of coal that threatens to go out: as long as the fire of His love burns in you, nothing and no one can extinguish it.
In conclusion: When people who have been a support for you leave your life, it does not necessarily have to lead to a crisis. Use such opportunities to become even more grounded in God and your faith. Build your faith on Jesus Christ and His Word alone. If you were brought up in a Christian home, do not rely too heavily on the faith of your parents or grandparents, however helpful and valuable it may be. Don’t be a people-follower, but discover faith in Christ and the truths of God’s Word for yourself. This will give you a rock-solid foundation that will last forever.
One song says:
How deep can I fall when everything crumbles?
When bridges and pillars disappear?
How long do I have to walk in this world
to find safe and solid ground?Never deeper than in God’s hands,
never longer than in His presence.
I never build my life on sand,
when I walk every step with Him.
God grant that we may always know that we are safe in His hands!
Dina Grötzinger
Eppingen, Germany
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