Tsunami Devotional by Steve Keaton
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009
Title: Follow the Leader
Text: Philippians 3:16-17 (NIV)
17Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
I can remember as a young child running around like a crazy person through the neighborhood with my friends. It seemed like we could turn anything into a game or competition of some type. We would get in the front yard and play some smash-mouth, step on your buddy’s back, knock you into next week football. With no pads on, I might add. We played so much baseball in my backyard that we wore base paths in the shape of a diamond and even busted out a few windows because of the homeruns we’d blast over the chain link fence. And I can remember like it was yesterday riding through the neighbor on our bicycles. We would ride from sun up to sun down and beyond. We would ride to the local 7-11 (Oh! Thank Heaven) and pick up a Super Big Gulp, which seemed like at least of gallon of carbonated goodness, and a foot-long, chocolate Charleston Chew. Umm, umm good. Anyway, back to the story.
One of our favorite things to do was to play “Follow the Leader” on the bikes, and nothing was off-limits. It was always interesting and sometimes dangerous to see what obstacles you’d encounter. We would ride through creeks, down trails covered with thorn-laced vines, down the steps of the local junior high school and many other things. And, if you were able to come through with nothing more than some scrapes and scratches, you had something to truly talk about. Follow the Leader was a blast, but it was something that as the “Leader” was taken seriously simply because you knew the people following your every move and doing everything you did were counting on you to not only lead them, but show them how to accomplish the task at hand. It wasn’t about loosing the people behind you. It was all about taking them on an adventure and showing them how to finish despite all of the ups and downs along the path.
As Christ-Followers we are called to a similar thing. It may not be about jumping creeks and streaking down dark trails, but it is about embracing the call of an authentic Christian to lead others on the adventure known as “Following God.” And don’t full yourself. There are people walking behind you. They are watching you. They are trusting in you. They are counting on you. What are you doing about that? What type of leader are you? Are you the type of leader that is striving to ensure those following your example will learn how to overcome everything this world throws at them? Or are you more interested in leaving in your wake the shattered, beaten and defeated souls that will be devoured by a world that cheers loudly when they fail on their walk with the Savior? And don’t fool yourself. You are being watched. You are setting an example. You are a leader. The question is are you leading others toward the life-changing love of Christ or toward the darkness of the world? Only you can answer that question.
Something to Think About:
o What type of leader do you think you’ve been?
o How has that example affected those following you?
o Are you more interested in leading others towards or away from a deeper and more fulfilling relationship with Christ?
o What can take place in your life to better lead others toward Christ?
o Who has been the leader or example you have been following? What qualities do they posses that has helped you on your adventure?
A Few Minutes with God:
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