Follow the leader.  You know the childhood game.  One person is the leader and everyone else follows and does whatever the leader does.  You don’t know where the leader is going or what they may have you do next, so you have to watch closely and keep your focus on them alone.  If you take your eyes off them, you might miss a turn or an important step. Constantly watching, and completely focused is the best way to succeed at the game.

Our relationship with Jesus and following of Him, should work the same way.  Jesus has called us to follow him. For many of us, we have accepted that call.  There are many examples in the Bible, for instance in Mark 1:17-18 “ And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him.” or Mark 2:14”And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.” While our calling may not have been quite this dramatic, if you call yourself a Christian there was a moment in your life when you knew without a shadow of a doubt that Jesus was calling you to surrender your life to him. We have all been called to “follow” in one way or another.

Do you notice in each case what the disciples did?  They followed. They didn’t question, they didn’t doubt, they simply obeyed the call.  The same was probably true for most of us. But somewhere along our journey, we have become confused about our place and our calling.  You see, we are not called to be a part of the planning process and when we are in complete agreement-then follow. We are not called to  prepare or pack for our journey, making sure we have adequate supplies, anticipating needs, stockpiling resources-then follow. We are not called to understand the path we are taking, we don’t get to consult MapQuest or google maps for the best route.  No, we are called to do one thing and one thing only-Follow.  

Childlike faith is required, just like in the game of follow the leader.  We trust our leader will not hurt us and has our best interest at heart. Sure it might be exciting or even scary at times, but we trust our leader so we continue to follow.  In his book “The Cost of Discipleship”, Dietrich Bonhoeffer says “Jesus is saying: The road to faith and discipleship is to follow me, run along behind me. That is all.”  The problem really is pride. As prideful humans want to help and plan. We actually think we know better! We run ahead, trying to sneak around till suddenly we are in the lead. We don’t trust, we question and complain.  We think we are entitled to sit down and not only discuss the entire plan, but agree to it wholeheartedly.

The problem is, when we insist on having it our way-we miss Jesus.  We miss the amazing and miraculous ways he provides for us, we miss how He made a way when it seemed hopeless, we miss other people on the same journey to help us or simply be with us.  We miss real life change! We allow our eyes and focus to shift to ourselves, our comfort, our plans, our desires, our way, etc..  That is not how it is designed to be. Bonhoeffer says it well “Beside Jesus, nothing else has any significance.  He alone matters.” We forget that when God calls us, He also provides for us.  Jeremiah 1:8 “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.” and in 39:18 “For I will surely save you, and you shall not fall by the sword, but you shall have your life as a prize of war, because you have put your trust in me, declares the Lord.” There are so many more examples in our Biblical history; Abraham, Moses, David, Peter and Paul, etc..  Sure all these men made mistakes and tried to “help”, they were human just like you and me. But each and everyone of them obeyed and followed when they were called.  Will you?