We used to play it all the time,
A simple game, but fun -
Just following the leader
Until their turn was done.
‘Cause if you paid attention
Then you'd know just what to do!
And even though those childhood days
Have been gone for many years
I'm still following my Leader,
As the way ahead He clears.
~ Debbie Porter ~
* * *
As usual, Steve had set a cracking pace through the shopping centre, leaving Kylie, Matt and me to straggle along in the rear. He'd needed cables for our speakers, and having accomplished his goal, I was filled with the hope that we might finally be able to head for home. After-church expeditions to the Mall are never high on my list of favourite pastimes.
Unfortunately, it looked as though my husband had something else planned, as he purposefully made his way through the Sunday afternoon shopping crowd. Never once looking back, he continued on his way with what appeared to be absolute confidence that his family was right behind him.
After years of playing, “Keep Up With Daddy”, he was quite right.
Yet, as we started heading toward the grocery section of the Centre, I became a little concerned that we may not be going anywhere at all. Eventually I had to ask.
“Steve, where are you going?”
With a look that seemed to perfectly combine astonishment with superiority, he stopped in his tracks, turned around and said, “I'm not going anywhere. I'm following you!”
The four of us had come to a complete halt and for that one moment I was totally oblivious to the passing parade of shoppers who did actually have destinations in sight.
Matt didn’t seem to find his Dad's comment in the least unusual, but Kylie and I were flabbergasted.
“YOU'RE following US?” I laughed in stunned surprise. Then, as usually happens in circumstances like this, my sarcastic sense of humour rose to the surface. “I know it sounds a bit strange, but believe it or not, it's considered normal for the people who are following someone to actually be behind them. Or at least paying attention to where they're going.”
Without further comment, Steve wandered back toward the Food Court which led to the exit and carpark. Once again we followed behind, but at least this time we knew for certain that the person in front was leading the way.
Yet, as we continued to play “Keep Up With Daddy”, I couldn’t help but wonder how long we may have roamed through the Mall if I hadn't asked that one little question. Who knows? We may still be traipsing along behind him like a nomadic band of shop dwellers.
As obvious as it sounds, followers really do need to know how to follow their leader.
Now when it comes to Steve's idea of “following” his family through the shopping centre, there's no harm done and, in fact, it actually gave me a bit of a chuckle. However, the reality of life is that for every circumstance, situation or task involving a group, there basically needs to be one person leading the way, with the rest watching, listening and following close behind.
It doesn't necessarily mean that the “leader” is a better person than the rest of the group, and it doesn't mean he should ever use his power to manipulate or control the others. In most cases, it simply means that this is the person who best knows the way and is prepared to act as a trailblazer.
When it comes to our Christian journey, however, we can be totally confident in the assurance that we have the absolute best Leader for all time in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. There is not another leader ever who could hold a candle to compare with his dazzling illumination. So with such a perfect Leader, it's up to us to be the absolute best followers, and that involves immediate attention and obedience when He calls.
One of the first things Jesus did when he began his earthly ministry, was to call others alongside:
“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called
Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
~ Matthew 4:18-19 NIV ~
Simon and Andrew's reaction to the Master's voice was immediate and wholehearted:
“At once they left their nets and followed him.”
~ Matthew 4:20 NIV ~
The two men didn't stop to have a debate about the pros and cons of such a decision. They didn't run home to tell their family what they were doing. They didn't even give consideration to the cost of leaving their business untended. They simply dropped everything right there and then and followed Jesus. Because they responded in this way, both men were then able to be most effective later in leading others to follow Christ as well.
At times I think we're all a bit like Steve in the shopping mall when it comes to how well we're following Christ's lead. We think we're doing it, yet the truth is that we're really way out in front and not paying a great deal of attention at all. One of the best ways to tell if this is the case is if our lives seem directionless and as though we're just wandering (or racing) from experience to experience without any real spiritual growth.
If that's the case, then Jesus is probably just behind you, asking, “Where are you going?”
When we stop, turn around and respond to His voice, that's when He'll call to our hearts, “Follow me.”
Then all we have to do is come behind, stepping firmly and confidently into Christ's perfect footprints, which lead straight to the Father's heart.
* * *
“It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.”
~ Deuteronomy 13:4 NIV ~
* * *
Copyright 2002 by Debbie Porter