Leading by example in the year 2021
Do you ever play “Follow the Leader?” How about “Simon Says,” or “Do As I Do?" These are games designed to teach us, at an early age, how to follow. Sometimes we are to follow by example and sometimes we are to follow instructions.
These are games we play in social settings, maybe at school or camp or during team building events. We have fun, laugh together, and learn to trust each other.
We mess up when the going gets tough and then we begin again. It is easier to follow those who don’t set a difficult example, like standing on one foot while whistling and waving your hands over your head. Some of us make excuses and don’t even try to follow that example. However, we do admire those who can!
Admiring and following are not the same.
Take, for example, Jesus. I admire how he took anger and hate and responded with love. I admire how he ignored rumors and gossip. I admire how he withstood the disbelief of his family and friends, their ridicule, doubt and betrayal … the ultimate betrayal … as they handed him over to his enemies to be killed and ran off to save themselves. Yes, pure admiration is what I have for Jesus. Always loving, always telling the truth in love, always sacrificing, always doing the will of God. Jesus gave up family, home, friends, and ultimately his life, to be an example of how to live.
I admire Jesus. But strive to be like him? That would be asking too much. Right? Uh, no. Jesus said, “Follow me.”
If we check those red letters in the Bible, we find that Jesus never said, “Worship me” or “Admire me.” However, Jesus does say “Follow me.” It is far easier to admire Jesus than to follow him. An admirer simply stands back, unattached, at a safe distance and observes. When there is no challenge, hardship, turmoil or danger in our lives it is easy to confuse following and worshipping. When things get tougher, the distinction is made clear.
Danish theologian and philosopher Soren Kierkegaard says that an “admirer is infatuated with the false security of greatness, but if there is any inconvenience or trouble, he pulls back.” The admirers never make any sacrifice. They always play it safe. Admirers will not change their habits or way of living to reflect what it is that they supposedly admire.
A follower aspires with all his/her strength to be like, to imitate the one he/she admires.
Jesus left us with a pattern; a way of being in the world, a way of being the hands, feet and voice of Christ in the world. Jesus leads by example.
Followers serve beyond their security. They leave the familiar, the comfortable, the cozy nest, the trap. Followers dare to be different. They travel into the unknown, and they trust the One they follow.
Jesus followers live simply, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit those in prison. They are mindful of the environment, conserve resources, care for those faced with physical and mental illness, addiction, poverty and all the terrible needs of the human heart. Followers act in love.
Admirers become agitated with followers. Have you noticed? If you are actually trying to follow Jesus, you may not be popular. You may be viewed as outspoken, harsh, not nice, anti-church, anti-government, and even anti-family. Followers strive to put Jesus first in their lives.
Kierkegaard again; “The matter is quite simple. The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians … pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the moment we understand, we are obliged to act accordingly.”
Act accordingly. Follow Jesus.
Gerri Harvill is a retired local pastor from the United Methodist Church. She, along with Stan Norman, co-lead the follow community. Her goal is to help provide a space and experience for a nurturing community that gathers to follow Jesus by praying, learning, and caring for others.