Casting Call for Models

3rd time's a charm, right? Or at least that's what I'm hoping. Let me give you the background.

Opportunity #1: America's Next Top Model
I watch the show. I know the fashion rules. I practice my poses in the mirror. I can walk on 4 inch heels. I downloaded and filled out the application. Until Rule 8. "You must be at least five feet and seven inches in height." I tried multiple rulers and stood up against various walls. No matter how far I stretched my neck, it just wasn't happening. I am not 5'7". Flush that one.

Opportunity #2: Miss America
This has been my dream my entire life. When I was in college, I was actually in Miss Teen Illinois (didn't even place Top Ten) and that was closest I ever came. Looking back, only months after the pageant, I realized my mistakes. I just didn't know what I was doing. So my plan? To stay fit, research (yes, I read books on what to do in the pageants), watched the pageant (and cried) every year as I judged the delegates myself and waited until I was ready. This year, I finally feel like I have it together. I'm back to working out. I'm happy with myself. I know how to answer honestly and I feel confident that my personality would be able to shine through my nerves. Yet, when I scanned the "Fast Facts" of becoming a contestant, the words jumped off the screen. "You must be between the ages of 17 and 24." No. That can't be right. I just turned 24 this year. I wasn't ready until now. I really think that I could do it and honestly believe in the deepest part of my heart that I will have another chance to make up for the fool that I made of myself when I was only 18. This can't be right. I closed the rules and opened them again. I read them again. And then I cried. And basically cried for the next 24 hours. At work. At home. On the phone with my mom. Anytime it came up. Because the one thing that I have always wanted to do with my life, I was told I can't do. And not because someone didn't believe in me and said I wasn't good enough, but because the opporunity is now gone. And I just can't. Regardless of...anything.

Opportunity #3: Casting Call
We're doing a series at Mosaic called "People" that is a spin-off of People Magazine and all that is related to the celebrity world. Tonight the topic was models. Needless to say, I was intrigued. We were encouraged to find a model that we could follow and then, to be a model that someone else could follow. Um, okay!

"I urge you to imitate me. That's why I have sent Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of how I follow Christ Jesus, just as I teach in all the churches wherever I go." (1 Corinthians 4:16-17)

"Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith." (Hebrews 13:7)

So maybe we were talking more about role models. Maybe this has nothing to do with haute couture or fashion week in Paris. Maybe I'll never walk a runway or wear anything made by Oscar de la Renta. But tonight I was inspired to not give up on my dream. I'm not perfect. There are many things that I need to do better. There are many things that I quite frankly just suck at and no one in their right mind would imitate. I don't hang up my laundry or put my shoes in the closet. I don't sing on key or cook healthy meals. I don't have the self-discipline to not pick up that cookie (or the next one or the next) and I don't read my Bible every night because I get too tired and fall asleep. But I am happy in my imperfections and know that this is just me.

I don't have to be 5'7" or between the ages of 17 and 24. God doesn't expect me to be perfect and He doesn't hold me to strict guidelines. Just to recognize my imperfections and work on bettering them. Just to follow Him to the best of my abilities and to live my life according to His will. Hopefully those are the areas worthy of imitation. Hopefully those are the the areas where I can share with those around me what I'm learning and be a model of a true follower of Christ. Even in my imperfections. Knowing that I might have an impact on someone's life is inspiring. It is, as it always has been, the primary reason for wanting to be a model (via Miss America) from the beginning. Joining me in wearing 4 inch heels is not a requirement, but I challenge you to be a model. There's an open casting call for all people are who are willing to be vulnerable, honest in their shortcomings and eager to grow. I guarantee that by taking that first step down the runway and realizing that people are imitating parts of your life, you will become more confident in your own abilities to lead others. Because when you are following the ultimate leader in the hearts of others, you can't help but be drawn to Him.