Following Is Leading.

When I was a little girl and someone asked me what I wanted to be for the Kingdom, I never said, “I want to be a follower!” No, every child wants to grow up and “be a leader!” We are raised with this mindset. Our culture perpetuates it. Seek out leadership positions. Be louder than all the other voices in the crowd. Second place is the first loser. Following is weak. Leadership is strong. Leadership is achieved, earned, sought after with dedication and constant perseverance. No one talks about how hard they work to be a follower.

But think about how the New Testament addresses this:

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matt. 16.24).

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8.12).

“When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice” (John 10.4).

“For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it” (Matt. 7.13).

“If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit” (Matt. 15.14).

“Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray” (1 John 3.7).

The majority of the references to humans leading in the New Testament have a negative connotation. The references to humans following are, for the most part, positive. Not only that, but we are commanded to follow. There is no place in scripture where we are commanded to “be leaders!” We are ultimately called to lead by following Christ. That isn’t loud and flashy and popular, but it’s right. The best kind of leadership that we can embody is found in our willingness to follow the Lord before we do anything else. That’s conducive to natural and unaffected leadership, that is lacking in arrogance and abundant in joy.

Lead by following. The very idea is wrought with humility. And since Jesus “humbled Himself and became obedient to death--even to death on a cross,” I’d say that’s a noble attitude to assume.

God,

Teach us to seek You first, before any earthly leadership position. Help us to remember that You will do the leading, and if you choose to lead us leadership opportunities, we will follow You there and be blessed by them. Thank you for loving us, and for being the Good Shepherd for us to follow home. We love you.

Through Jesus,

Amen.

Erin E. Daugherty, Abilene Christian University