“Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” —Hebrews 12:2
As a little girl I remember holding my father’s hand and walking beside him on the boardwalk in Atlantic City. For each step he took, I had to take two or three just to keep up. I was eager to keep up. I also remember that he made an endearing comment about it. He slowed down so I could keep up because of his love for me.
Conversely, around the same time, I was with a baby-sitter when making a quick stop in a grocery store. I remember holding her hand as she marched forward in pursuit of some much-needed item. Walking at a fast pace and trying to keep up, I slid on some sugar that had spilled in the aisle. We didn’t stop. I was yanked up and we kept on toward the task at hand. It was overwhelming to say the least.
Even today, when I am out shopping with my mother and we get separated, she says she can always find me because of my distinctive footsteps—very deliberate. We all have our own unique ways of walking. Once years ago, I asked my manager at work if he was a military man. He said, “No, why do you ask?” I told him I thought he had a military gait—very distinctive.
Isn’t it true that some people are easy to follow when you have confidence in the way they carry themselves?
Follow the leader was a particularly fun game to play as an adolescent. It’s a common children’s game that requires a leader or “head or the line,” and all the children line up behind them. The leader moves around, and the children must mimic the leader’s actions. Any players who fail to keep up or do as the leader does is out of the game. The last person left, once everyone else is eliminated, becomes the new leader. It’s loads of fun when you are a child.
Follow the leader is also known as the copycat game, and there are many variations of it. It’s a good energizer and warmup activity, and I have seen it used with adults in team building workshops, and as an ice-breaker activity. The good news is there is no prep for this game—for children or adults—and it can be done anywhere.
Children love to mimic adults. Much has been written about modeling (for teachers and parents). Modeling is one way in which behavior is learned. Modeling may teach a new behavior, influence the frequency of a previously learned behavior, or increase the frequency of a similar behavior. Research has found that modeling in the classroom decreases student error, positively affects the perceived importance of a task, and increases self-regulated learning.
Leadership 101
There’s a plethora of speakers, books, training, and information out in the world about good leadership, and there are quotes galore. Sometimes it’s hard to know if leaders should be leading from the front or back. You can read great articles about the value of leading from behind. You can also find articles that make the case for leading from the front. Of course, if you’re a sports fan, you know that most NBA, NFL and MLB coaches lead from the sidelines (or dugout).
So how do you know which one is right? The answer is, “It depends.” It depends on the leader and the follower. My favorite quote—one of many—about leadership is: “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, shows the way.” -John Maxwell
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” —John 14:6
Jesus said many things, He did many things. He knows the way, because He is the way. The only way we are going to get to know our Father (our leader) is to read His words as He shows the way. The Word of God is living and active —Hebrews 4:12
Walking beside Jesus is essential. He is patient and kind—I would even venture to say endearing, like my father was as I tried to keep up—because of His love for me. He does’t yank us along on the task at hand. He holds our hand and guides us. His Words encourage and they influence.
Jesus spoke many words to His people, His disciples knew His voice—I suspect they recognized the sound of His footsteps coming their way. In the Bible (if you have a red-letter edition) the words in red are the very Words Jesus spoke. Why are these important? Sometimes it’s hard to know what God’s will is for our lives. But His very words are not just for the followers of His time; they for us today. He specifically tells us what we are called to do and how we are called to live.
“Everyone who hears these Words of mine (these Red Letter Words) and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on the house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” —Jesus (Matthew 7:24-25)
Follow the leader; follow Jesus’ very Words. We can model Jesus in all aspects of our lives, because we know from the Gospels what He did (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), and who He was (Gospel of John). We are blessed to have His Words—His Red Letter Words—so we know what to do, how to live. What if we take the Words of Jesus and actually put them into practice? Well, here’s your chance.
Starting Sunday June 2, our pastors will take us on a journey, a sermon series called Red Letter Challenge—a 40-day life-changing challenge. We can see what it looks like on a practical day-to-day basis how to follow Jesus.
Whether you worship with us on Sundays or elsewhere, you can take the challenge with us and follow along. The 9:30 (CT) service is always live-streamed at Messiah.us -- click on yellow live stream button. All sermons are archived if you miss it live. You can also order your own book for $15 to journey beside us or on your own. Books can be purchased in the Great Hall between worship services, or in the office during the week. Click HERE to purchase your own copy from Amazon.
I am not a little girl anymore, but the thought of walking alongside and holding my Heavenly Father’s hand, and reading His powerful, yet endearing Words—written for me (and you)—is comforting (like that day so many years ago at the Atlantic City boardwalk).
Walk with Jesus
Be in His Word
Follow His Commands
Do What He Asks
