Since no man is an island, I’ve interpreted this to mean that everyone follows someone. Yes? Most important – who do You follow… and why? Do you know? There must be a reason! Their power? Their personality – intelligence, charisma, forcefulness, reasoning, (fill in the blank)? There has to be a reason why you adhere to that person and their beliefs and actions – yes? How does following them reinforce or expand who you are and what you do? It must uplift you and help you become your best you or why would you follow them?
I could go on with the questions and, yes, I have asked this question before, though perhaps with a different emphasis. Going back to the opening sentence, I suspect we all need others to confirm what we think and believe and we tend to surround ourselves with like-minded people. But do we also get way too comfortable in our surroundings? Do we think outside the box and test our thinking? Or are we only into ‘safe’ (individually defined) areas? Are we growing and becoming who we can be and do what we can do?
For you, what are some of the critical characteristics that must be on display for you to follow someone else’s leading? You need to be specific for yourself or you might fall into the trap of being led down the primrose path to destruction. Reliable? Proven track record? Stable? but not a closed or stodgy thoughts and behavior? Open to others’ ideas or suggestions? Trust-able? Approachable? Doesn’t play favorites. These would be some of the qualities I’d look at because, for me, these are critical – but this is not an exhaustive list. These must be essential qualities and not superficial and unimportant ones. My point is not the qualities I feel are important, but do you know yours?
I will assert that there is One who ticks all the boxes, who fills all the requirements – Jesus. For me, this is who I will continue to follow. I made that choice a long time ago and have never regretted it. I have witnessed His unfailing love and caring that He extends to all. And have discovered all that is prepared for me when I accept Him as my Lord. My role is to continue to discover Who He is and what that means in my life – and to become all I am destined to be. This is always my opportunity… and choice. Sooo… who are you following… and why?
