Don’t Follow. Lead.
“Sometimes I have to remind myself that I don’t have to do what everyone else is doing.” ~ Unknown
This may be a gross generalization, however, one could say that there are two types of people in the world: leaders and followers. Even though they say “everyone wants to be a leader”, we certainly seem to have an overabundance of followers, do we not? The phenomenon is studied by many different groups: psychologists, sociologists, ad agencies, and any other who could benefit from an understanding of the leader/follower dynamic.
Parents warn their children all the time not to follow the pack. However, that is where most children, teens, and young adults get into the most trouble. They choose to follow the group even when it is evident that the group is in the wrong and doing wrong. The individuals involved long ago appeared to give up their own independence and, instead, joined the group dynamic.
“If all your friends jumped in the lake, would you as well?!” I would think that we probably all heard that from our parents as we were growing up. Back then, it angered us to hear that. As we grew up, it became sage advice and many employed the same line on their children.
The truth of the matter is, we do not have to do what everyone else is doing. As a matter of fact, we need to be doing something different than what everyone else is doing because too many people are doing wrong and they need someone to show them the way. We should not allow any group to sway us. The only person that we should elect to follow is Jesus Christ.
If we follow the Lord, if we do what He asks of us, if we live as He lived, we will be all right. Truth be told, we would be more than all right. We would be that inspiration that the world so desperately needs to see and hear.
All of our friends very likely may be jumping off of a cliff, especially if they have given themselves over to the world. Don’t join them. Instead, show them that there is another way, a better way, a way that will give them hope and dignity. That way is the Lord.
FAITH ACTION: By word and deed, be a leader in the faith today.