Leadership or Follower-ship?

“This moment will look much different two years from now,” I told the person who was torn by emotion, confronted with a difficult decision. I spoke from experience, knowing that with time’s passing, our choices and God’s leading find a context within the big picture of life.

As I approach my 54th birthday and look back over 3 decades of adulthood, I see moments where He changed my course and moments where I was headstrong and took detours from His will. Most amazing to me is His grace that has made me who I am today. In my reading in the Word this morning, I perused the story of Abraham’s dispatch of his servant to get a wife for Isaac. As the servant comes to a well, he meets a beautiful young woman. When circumstances bring him to the conclusion that he has found the woman for Isaac, the Bible says "the man bowed down and worshiped the Lord, saying, ‘Praise be to the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. As for me, the Lord has led me on the journey.’” (Genesis 24:26-27, NIV) With that servant, I too, say – The Lord has led me on the journey!

When I ‘take charge’ and begin to lead, mistakes get made, people get hurt, and I live to regret it! Been there too often. When my heart is humble and my mind submitted to Him, I am led by the Spirit. What a difference when I am led and not leading. Most of the moments when I’ve seized control, it has been because a sense of urgency makes me feel that must not wait, that there is no time to pray and see what God will do or what He wants done. I always regret the results that emerge from those ill-considered choices. But, when I let Him lead and bring His plan to maturity in His time: Oh, what a difference!

I am not making a case for passivity or indecisiveness, disciple. We must choose, make decisions, move on with life – but, we do so as those who are led. Much is made of leadership today, but I am learning ‘follower-ship.’ When a situation requires me to lead, I have learned first to be led. Until I have wrestled with the choice in the Presence of God, sought His counsel, and applied the principles of His Word, I am not ready to choose wisely. And, I have learned the value of making decisions within the context of the counsel of trusted confidants.

The Scripture urges us to realize the privilege of being led by God. "God’s Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go! This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?”" (Romans 8:14-15, The Message) God does not lead us like slaves, beating us, driving us, robbing life from us. Rather He leads us like sons are guided by a wise father; sometimes sternly, sometimes with rebuke, sometimes with encouragement – and always to what is best.

Meditate on this promise. Don’t rush ahead or lag behind. Let God lead you as you listen for the Spirit’s voice.
"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." (John 15:15, NIV)
"When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come." (John 16:13, NIV)
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Some day life's journey will be o'er,
And I shall reach that distant shore,
I'll sing while ent'ring heaven's door,
"Jesus led me all the way."

If God should let me there review,
The winding paths of earth I knew,
It would be proven clear and true,
"Jesus led me all the way."

Jesus led me all the way,
Led me step by step each day;
I will tell the saints and angels,
As I lay my burdens down,
"Jesus led me all the way."

Jesus Led Me All The Way
Peterson, John W.
© 1954. Renewed 1982 John W. Peterson Music Company
CCLI License No. 810055