Learning to Be a Follower and Leader

 

By Laura Bailey, crosswalk.com

“Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” – Luke 9:23 NLT

Are you a leader or a follower? Which would you say if you were asked? Do you identify as one over the other, or perhaps both, depending on your circumstances? A quick internet search and over 15 million quizzes, articles, and resources can help determine whether we tend to be leaders or followers. Why the interest in this subject?

Culturally leaders have been praised for bold words, brave actions, and boundary-pushing agendas. However, as Christians, we see numerous times to follow Christ, who walked humbly and elevated others. Does Scripture encourage us to be followers or leaders? It tells us to engage in both roles!

We see the importance of being a disciple of Christ throughout the New Testament. Jesus tells us, “ whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me (Luke 9:23 NIV). So we must do three things: deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus. All commandments seem like a follower, so where do believers have the opportunity to lead?

Jesus tells his disciples that their job is to lead the charge in making more disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey God’s Word. Check out Matthew 28:18-20, “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

For many Christians, we’ve heard the verses above; perhaps we have them written on a shirt or created a pretty post on social media with the scripture. But, we need to go deeper than just rote memorization; faith coupled with action, the call to follow Christ.  We need to do the deep heart work and ask, how does following Christ change how I live and equip and encourage me to fulfill the great commission to go and make disciples?

There are so many things competing for our time; for many of us, God has not called us to full-time ministry. But, He does invite us into a more profound commitment to serving Him. Being a disciple isn’t always easy. Jesus tells us it will be pretty tricky- but the reward is great. 1 Peter 2:19-25 outlines what it looks like to live godly lives. It also tells us three things; we should expect to suffer because Christ suffered, Jesus is our example, and He trusted himself to God, we were once lost sheep, but now we are under the protection of the Good Shephard.

Faith is not always easy, and happy obedience isn’t, at least for me. But just as Jesus had a greater plan for the disciples 2,000 years ago, He has a plan for us. He is working all things for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). While the original twelve disciples had particular roles, our jobs are no less important. We still exist for the same purpose, to know God and make Him known as we follow Christ and lead others to our  Lord and Savior.