"Learning the Ropes"
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Newborn puppies are just the cutest! But as much as you might want to take one of these tiny bundles of fur home right away, they really should stay with their mother and littermates for a while. A dog who hasn't spent the first months of its life learning the "pecking order" of the pack becomes an unsocialized, over-excited, nervous wreck of a dog later in life. At one point in their puppyhood, even older pack leaders were a bottom-of-the-totem-pole pack member, obediently — and adorably — learning the ropes. But learning to be a follower isn't just for the dogs. It's also a requirement for all who want to serve in Christ's kingdom today.
We're Cross Training to develop our leadership, one of twelve marks of the Master we're working on this year. Leadership comes when we follow Jesus, live with meekness, let our lights shine, and shepherd those around us. So how can we become great leaders by first becoming obedient followers?
What You Need to Know
The four gospels repeatedly capture moments when Jesus called people to follow him. Walking up to Matthew at a tax booth (Mark 2:13-17), summoning four fishermen on the shoreline (Mark 1:16-20), or telling a rich, young man to sell his possessions and follow (Mark 10:17-27). Why emphasize these invitations? Maybe because the essence of discipleship lies in accepting that call and following Christ. Where he went, they went. They lived as his constant students, imitators, and apprentices. And if we follow Christ today, we must commit to walking with him, too.
When young people reach adulthood, sometimes they feel compelled to make their own way in the world, to forge their own path. But as disciples of Christ, we follow his path, walking "in step with the Spirit" (Gal. 5:25) and never running ahead of Jesus or his instruction. "Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son" (2 John 9).
Let's acknowledge some words that have never sounded fun and these days seem outright antiquated: submission (James 4:7). Obedience (1 Peter 1:2). Subjection (Heb. 12:9). Why would any intelligent, competent human willingly yield their own rights and choices in deference to another? Even more strange: why surrender your will to someone you can't even see? For Christians who have come to know a Savior they trust implicitly, Peter summarizes our answer well:
"Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:8-9).
What You Need to Do
Replace what you want with what Christ wants. A positive commitment to Christ has more inherent power than a negative commitment NOT to do evil because we find our strength in him (Eph. 6:10; Phil. 4:13). When we empty our house of unhealthy desires and habits, we need to fill it up with the good stuff, or it can all come back (cf. Matt. 12:43-45; Eph. 4:22-32). Rather, turn your attention to all that is "true ... honorable ... just ... pure ... lovely ... commendable ... anything worthy of praise" (Phil. 4:8).
Focus your attention on Jesus in everything you think, say, or do. His life serves as our perfect example as he leads us through this life. Study and imitate how Christ lived, but most importantly, why he lived that way. He is your cornerstone (Eph. 2:20-21), your leader (Heb. 2:10; 12:1-2), "Christ who is your life" (Col. 3:4). With equal parts humility and conviction, we declare our aspiration and commitment: "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me" (Gal. 2:20).
Walk away from anything weighing you down in your walk with Christ (Heb. 12:1-2). Jesus invites us into his rest, his light and easy burden (Matt. 11:30). He invites us to yoke ourselves to him, walking side by side with him and learning from him (Matt. 11:29). And when we love and trust him, we, at last, find peace under the yoke of his leadership. "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome" (1 John 5:3).
Through the Week
- Read (Mon) — John 21:15-22; Mark 1:16-20; Matt. 9:9-13; 19:16-30; Luke 9:23-62
- Reflect (Tue) — Have I given Christ full control over my life's direction?
- Request (Wed) — "Lord, lead me and help me to always walk with you, and never turn back" (cf. John 6:66).
- Respond (Thu) — Share with someone what your life might have been like if you hadn't answered Christ's call.
- Reach Out (Fri) — Why did you first decide to follow Jesus and why do you still follow him?
