Should We Lead or Should We Follow?
Over the summer, my oldest granddaughter and I set off on an overnight shopping trip in Nashville. We had the best time eating, shopping, laughing, and being together. This Sunday we went to church dressed alike. How fun! So, who do you think is leading and who do you think is following?
As believers, we are followers of Christ. I mean the very term Christian reveals that. And as believers, we are also to be leaders. We are to become like Christ and He was indeed a leader.
It is important to know when to lead and when to follow.
So, when Macie announced she thought we should be twins, I began to follow her around the store. I listened to what she liked and didn’t like and what she thought would look good on both of us. We talked fashion and gathered items to take into dressing room. I listened as she gave her input and guided our selection. Would I have ever purchased that skirt otherwise? No. Matter of fact, it is the only skirt in my closet.
But… if me following her lead will encourage her to follow my lead – I am all in.
How many times do we have an opportunity like this? I started thinking about it and realized this type of opportunity arises often. It happens with our family members, with our friends, and with others we meet. We have this “I will follow your lead if it encourages you to follow my lead” opportunity arise over and over again. Give it some thought.
We know people who could lead us in so many things – cooking, organizing, fashion, decorating, parenting, gardening, fitness, health, business, life skills, theology, social media, career, and so many other areas of life. And if we were willing to take a few moments and follow their lead, it might encourage them to follow our lead.
So, when should we lead and when should we follow?
First, we tend to lean one way or the other. We are either prone to follow or prone to lead. But, the Bible tells us to do both. The goal is not to do what we are most comfortable doing; the goal is to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and to be obedient to those promptings. We are to be aware of the opportunities to follow well and the opportunities to lead well.
“…Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12
We are to lead others by how we live our everyday life. We are to set the example of godly living at work, on weekdays and throughout the weekend. What is godly living? It isn’t appearing to be good. It is seeking to become more and more like Jesus in our thoughts, in our words, and in our actions. It requires surrender.
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.’”
Matthew 16:24
We are to be followers in our everyday life – followers of Jesus. Like the scripture above says, we must give up our own way. We want to follow Jesus and we want to do things our way, but it is impossible to do both. The choice we are to make is clear – follow Jesus’ lead.
BAM! Our life is to be about following Jesus and then leading others to do the same.
But, going back to my time with Macie… allowing her to share what she is passionate about creates opportunity for me to share what I am passionate about. The same is true for each of my children, grandchildren, friends, and acquaintances. That’s what Jesus did. He would meet people where they were, listen to them, and then share truth with them.
And when we follow His lead, others will be inspired to follow our lead. We are to follow Jesus and lead others to do the same.
Let’s lead and follow well.
I am praying for you -
Pam
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