There is a lot of interest in our world about being a good leader, but you never hear about being a good follower. A good follower is someone who knows when it is not their turn to lead because someone else is leading, or because they are not the best person for the job. A good follower is every good leader's dream.
Today, God gives his marching orders to the Hebrew slaves. They have had quite an adventure out of Egypt already. And after sitting through an orientation on God's core values - values that make community work, they are ready to get moving.
But they don't know where they are going. The mid-eastern wilderness is like the wild west. They are no road signs. Worse - there are hostiles everywhere, ready to take advantage of naive, unseasoned travellers. The barrenness of the wilderness offers endless possibilities - unfortunately, too many. Too many decisions need to be made, too many hazzards to avoid, and too many unknowns to prepare for. The Hebrews are ill equipped to lead themselves through the wilderness. This is a time to follow.
So God says, "follow the angel I sent you." And God says good followers do what they are told; they don't get mixed up with local superstitious practices. In exchange, God promises to supply food and water, keep them healthy, and clear out their enemies.
But they must not compromise their allegiance to God. That the other thing about good following - loyalty, especially when the going get tough.
.Write
Think about your faith story: how have you experienced good following when you lead? Are you a good follower?
In your life presently, who do you follow? In what ways do you find following challenging? Who follow you? In what ways do you find leading challenging?
In your life presently, how well are you following God? In what ways you are tempted to compromise your loyalty to God in exchange for an easier ride?
Who do you know is suffering the consequence of rebellion and compromise?
Pray
What
is God saying to you today? What's Good News to you?
Talk to God about following him. Thank God for the way he knows where he is leading you, and the way he steers you back to him when you veer off course.
Pray about the situations where you lead, and where you follow. Pray for the people you follow, and people who follow you. Ask God for he wisdom and support to lead and follow with integrity.
Pray for your friend who is hurting from veering from God. Ask God for the wisdom and support to support them back on course.
Pray for an experience of God's love, grace and mercy in the way he leads you, and the way he steers you back, and the way he equips you to bring others back on course with him..