Follow the Leader

Maybe you played "Follow the Leader" when you were growing up. If not, it's a game where all the kids line up behind a "leader" and follow that leader around  mimicing what he/she does. Whoever doesn't copy what the leader does is "out" of the game. It can be a fun game, especially when you have a goofy leader!

One of the "simple truths" I've discovered over the years is found in this saying: "As goes the leader, so go the people." In other words, "Follow the Leader" isn't just a kids' game, it's something we tend to do all throughout life. The example a leader sets is something we naturally follow. For example, children will often grow up and follow the example their parents set in many aspects of life - even if they vow not to! (You can probably give some examples from your own life. Like my dad set the example of loving baseball. I would much rather watch baseball than any other sport. Not because it's more exciting, but because it's what my dad did.)

There may not be a more appropriate time than Valentine's week to look at the example Jesus set for us about how to love.  This might be one area where following the leader doesn't come naturally.  By nature we tend to be quite self-centered, but Jesus' example of love is to "unselfishly seek the best for us" (not for himself).

To make that personal, try to answer this question: "What does it look like to unselfishly seek the best for ____________"?  Fill in the blank starting with your spouse/girlfriend/boyfriend. Then move on to the other people in your life who need your love: Your kids, parents, siblings, friends, etc...

Keep in mind that Jesus died for us even when we are being "unlovable" or don't return His love. As Christian singer/songwriter Don Francisco said in his song Love is Not a Feeling: "Jesus didn't die for us because it was fun. He hung there for love, because it had to be done." 

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