Lead, follow or get out of the way

Everyone on the planet is a follower. We all have our little or big addictive personalities when it comes to following things like sports, news, money, celebrities, etc.

Actor Charlie Sheen recently proved that we have an addiction problem when it comes to following other people’s business when he amassed over one million followers in a whopping twenty five hours and seventeen minutes.

It’s not a bad thing to be a follower. It can actually be a good thing if follow the right people. Every one of us needs great leaders in our lives to mentor us, encourage us, and sometimes to correct us.

The problem is that we sometimes spend valuable moments of our lives following people and programs that have no value. We need to remember that the things we follow shape our character and our future.

If I spend my time following someone who ignores his kids, mistreats his wife, and is hurtful to others then I’m probably going to be a bad father, a mean husband, and without friends. But if I spend my time following someone who enjoys his kids, loves his wife, and is kind to others then I’m probably going to be a great dad, loving husband, and a friend.

No one knew this better than Jesus, our creator. He understood we were all created to be followers of him. He also understood there would be a great pull for us to replace our eternal need to follow Christ with following the things of this world. That’s why he said “I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done…” (John 13:14-16)

So who are you following? Who is it that’s feeding your life? Who is shaping and molding your future? Remember, you are going to become like those you follow. We need to stop looking to Hollywood to lead us, and focus on Christ Jesus, the one who leads in righteousness.

Zachary Elliot is the Pastor of Fusion Christian Church in Temecula.