Learning to Follow

I’ve been pondering recently Christ’s words from Mark chapter 8: If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.

In order to follow Christ I must first be willing to go after, or follow Him. What is my heart posture? Am I willing to go after Him? Do I want Him, or is there something else that has my heart, my attention, my desires?

Jesus is the Leader

He knows the way. Do I see Him as the Leader? Am I willing to follow and not try to take the lead? Do I know my place in being a follower?

I think back to when I was a kid and my family would take evening walks after supper. My brother and I would constantly try to be first, to lead us as we strolled the streets of our neighborhood. Why wouldn’t he let me be first, and why couldn’t I settle for being a follower? Sometimes I still have those thoughts – but with Christ as my Leader…why am I not content with simply following Him? And why would I want to lead – I don’t even know the way…

The leader knows the way. He knows when to go left or right, if there’s a hill or valley coming up along the path. The follower trusts the Leader to know which way to go, even when things don’t seem clear.

My Tendencies

This childhood pattern of wanting to lead has followed me into adulthood. I tend to usurp the leader, the one in charge. Those who know me really well, know this to be true. I like to be in the lead, to run the show.

As a kid, I was the one behind my softball coach acting like I was him, telling everybody what to do and how to do it. As an adult, I’m slightly more refined, but still wanting to be the one in the lead.

I still like my way. It’s comfortable at best and I feel in control, which is ultimately where my missteps crop up.

Am I able to release the control I perceive I have for a position in following the One who controls all things?

Ultimately I think that’s the question…am I willing to give up my way, my plans, my path and follow the One who already knows the way, the plan and the path? Are you?