Naturally, I lead. Unnaturally, I follow. And I know I’m not alone in this dilemma.
I’ve had this on my mind a lot lately. Sometimes there is a fine line between the two, and my problem often comes in discerning which side of the line I should be on at any given moment. So I took the advice I would give to others, and I went to the Scriptures for the answers. As I began to write down the things I was learning, I realized that they fit nicely into an acrostic, using the word follow as the basis:
F – Faith in a qualified Leader is required.
Hebrews 11:6, NLT “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”
O – Others might not follow, but I’m not responsible for their choices or actions.
John 21:20–22, NLT “Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, ‘Lord, who will betray you?’ Peter asked Jesus, ‘What about him, Lord?’ Jesus replied, ‘If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.'”
L – Love puts others’ desires above its own; therefore, it demonstrates the true act of following.
I Corinthians 13:4–7 “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”
L – Leaders follow, and followers lead; it’s not one or the other; it’s usually both.
Joshua 11:15, NLT “As the Lord had commanded his servant Moses, so Moses commanded Joshua. And Joshua did as he was told, carefully obeying all the commands that the Lord had given to Moses.”
O – Over time, those who have been faithful followers will generally be called upon to lead.
Luke 16:10, NLT “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.”
W – Whichever I’m called upon to do—follow or lead—I must do it joyfully, courageously, lovingly, humbly, and to the glory of God.
Colossians 3:23 “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”