Would you rather be a follower or a leader?
In our American culture being a follower is looked down upon. We usually associate followers with those who can’t think for themselves or they just want to fit it. On the other hand, we greatly esteem being a leader and encourage our children and others to strive to be a leader. Even the church culture values gifted, capable, articulate people and thinks of them as future leaders.
I wonder if that is why a lot of churches struggle with having people serve in various ministries, because people are looking for a leadership position!! Interesting!! Unfortunately, this is not Christianity according to Jesus but it’s American Christianity.
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Matthew 16:24
According to the above scripture, the true believers should be known as followers. We follow and we serve all the days of our lives. The tasks, capacities, or positions we hold will vary over the years, but in whatever capacity we are, we are called to follow Christ and serve the people. Christians don’t follow because they are weak or can’t think for themselves. They follow because they have relinquished their own pride, understanding, charisma, and they have surrendered it all to the cross. When the world looks at a believer, they should see a man or a woman of God who is following the Lord. These individuals don’t speak for themselves, they’re not proud, and they don’t lord it over the people. They only speak, act, or do, because they are representing their King.
If we are going to follow Jesus we must take up our cross. So many of us want to follow Jesus but instead of taking up our cross we take up our past experiences, past career, education, and notoriety as to ensure people know we were somebody before I knew Jesus!!! Well, if you were somebody before you knew Jesus why didn’t you stay the way you were? The sheer fact that you chose to follow Jesus should be an indication that you being somebody wasn’t good enough to keep even yourself impressed! This does not mean that having a title, or position is bad, but it is a problem if it is your identity. So if you chose to follow Jesus then why aren’t you laying down all the worldly recognitions? Do you want to ensure that if you are not recognized as somebody in His kingdom you have something to fall back on? Isn’t that called double-mindedness? We esteem people with worldly success, and so when they accept Jesus we treat them as if they have done Jesus a favor!
We are leaders when we submit to Jesus and lead a life that sets the proper example first for our families and then for others. However, when being a leader becomes an issue of title or identity, then it’s time to slow down and re-evaluate our priorities. There is a great chance that we have developed a false sense of security and identity. Jesus called us to be His disciples and follow Him while taking up our cross which means die to our own ideas of self significance and identity. Follow Him!!! Being a great follower of Jesus allows us the privilege to set the right example for others but because we are carrying our cross while following Jesus we are in a great place of humility and surrender. The focus is not on us; it is on Him.
Let’s instill this in our children that they are called to be followers of Christ. If they pursue this, the Lord will develop them to be good leaders in their sphere of influence.