Follow

Previous experience of owning a small business, and being part of many encounters with hiring, brings back memories of common questions the interviewer should ask a potential employee during a job interview.  One popular one is, “Are you a leader or a follower?” 

Think back to how you would have answered that if possibly you were in that interview.   And, if you had to answer that question today, would your answer be any different?  To admit to someone, whether a future boss or others around us, that you were a follower, may seem to confess to being weak.   The question remains, what or who are each of us choosing to follow?  Maybe someone is committed to following their dream job.  Perhaps we’re drawn to someone we admire or some belief about which we feel strongly?  Throughout our lives we’ve most likely experienced making choices to follow honorable things and, looking back, maybe some of our choices were not so wise. 

One of my favorite songs that stirs my soul is “I will follow Him”, sung in the movie “Sister Act” with Whoopie Goldberg.  The most moving and beautiful rendition though is a live performance by Andre Rieu, a Dutch violinist and conductor.   Maybe you could stop for a moment and listen to the words.  My favorite part that moves me most is the very beginning of the performance before the singers ramp up the beat.  Then come back to reading God’s special “word of the week”, follow.  You can find and listen to it on YouTube or click on my link below.

I should start each day by listening to this song.  “I will follow him.  Follow him wherever He may go; and near Him I always will be.  For nothing can keep me away.  He is my destiny.”  So, if you ask me now, am I a leader or a follower, my answer unapologetically would be a “follower.”  The words of this song alone bring comfort and strength that I replied correctly to interviewing for the perfect position – a follower of Jesus.  I suddenly realize that Jesus calls each of us individually to both lead and follow throughout  our lives.  By choosing to follow Him, it has led us, and will continue to lead us, through a lifetime of holy experiences.  You and I must put our trust in Him when being called to lead when it is necessary and to humble ourselves (leave our ego behind) to remember we are following Him.  I pray that you will keep this song nearby this week (and in the future) and listen to it when you feel the need.  Let the words “follow” stir your soul and confirm why you are following our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  For “there isn’t an ocean too deep, a mountain so high it can keep, keep me away – away from his love.”

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”  John 10:27