In the recent Gallup Paul reported that among the 13 to 17-year-olds, 51% said that they have no

role model that they can look up to.

49% cited their parents rather than celebrities whom they want to emulate.

And as I looked at this, I realized even in my own life, it was my mother's kindness, generosity,

and continuous self-giving that impacted me more than anybody else's life.

She was and continues to be an inspiration in my life, though she's been with the Lord

for many years. She continues to be the model that I aspire to emulate.

But there's one thing I need to tell you about the power of example.

Whether you are a student in school, whether you are a parent or whether you are a boss at work,

whether you are an employer or employee, listen, there is one thing you need to understand

about the power of example.

That its impact is not very often immediate, that its influence is not very often instant, that its effect on others. Very often, it's in the long run rather than in a short run.

Somebody who's watching you in school, who's watching you at work,

somebody is watching you at home, somebody who's watching you in your neighborhood,

somebody who's watching your life and learning from your life example

may not fully appreciate or endeavor to emulate your good example immediately. But certainly

they will in the wrong run. They will at some point in their life. You know, whenever a young person comes to me and says, I feel the call of God upon my life to go to full-time ministry,

and I'm thinking of what seminary I should go to.

Is there any advice that you can give me?

I have a very simple advice, very simple, standard answer.

Do not look at a seminary's size. Do not look at its academic record as much.

And don't look at their accomplishment or their reputation as much. But look at the godliness

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