Explore the timeless wisdom of following divine guidance, drawing parallels from childhood games to spiritual journeys. Discover how prioritizing God's lead protects us from temptation, harm, and idolatry, ultimately shaping us into Christ's example.
Looking back at my childhood, it was all so innocent. I still remember all the moms in our neighborhood, homemakers like June Cleaver from Leave it to Beaver, wearing dresses, ready with milk and cookies when we came home from school, usually minus the string of pearls. Lol. I am so thankful we didn’t have cell phones, iPads, or Kindles, but just the great outdoors and our imaginations. We all enjoyed neighborhood games such as hide and seek, kickball, tag, and follow the leader, which probably elicited the most laughs.
In life, there is a time and a place to “follow the leader,” and then there are circumstances where you would not follow another’s lead. If I ever said I wanted something because someone else had it or if I said, " But Sally gets to do it,” my dad would say, “And would you follow Sally off a bridge?” But in all seriousness, we need to discern a leader’s moral character and ethics before following their lead.
As Believers, we have the perfect and only Leader to follow on life’s journey, Christ Jesus. When we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He placed within us the Holy Spirit who guides us in everything. In Old Testament times, before Jesus, God led the Israelites out of Egypt within a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. “But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle… The Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.” Exodus 13:18;21-22 Whether before Jesus' advent or after His death and resurrection, God leads us and equips us for battle, BUT we need to follow…
Let’s examine how the Lord leads us on our earthly journey, preparing us for Heaven’s glory, and why it is so important that we follow His lead.
Directs us Away from Temptation
Pilgrim’s Progress is my husband’s favorite book. For those who don’t know the story, it follows Pilgrim on His journey from accepting Jesus’ invitation through his pilgrimage to Heaven. Along the way, he comes upon many different characters whose names match their character traits. The names of those who tempted Pilgrim were Apollyon, Obstinate, Pliable, Talkative, Legality, Beelzebub, and Lord Hategood. A lot of Pilgrim’s temptations came in subtle ways. Pilgrim was also tempted due to his weaknesses, especially when a path seemed “easier”. I would say this is true of Christians as well. We succumb most to temptation through subtlety and weakness.
As followers of Christ, we must be diligent in NOT taking our eyes off of Jesus, especially when things are going well for us. "For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore I will not be disgraced; I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed". Isaiah 50:7 AI overview describes “set my face like flint” as “a determined, unyielding resolve and unwavering commitment to a course of action, even in the face of adversity or opposition.” When we commit to this resolve, our faith will not be shaken, and we will not fall into temptation.
Let us follow the Lord’s lead so that temptation will not have its way with us and we will not be disgraced or ashamed.
Protects Us from Harm
Some people have a knack for finding themselves in harm's way. I don’t know if they are adrenaline junkies or just people who think they have nine lives, but I have known some people who’ve made some really poor choices, yet somehow escaped catastrophic calamity, yet not without being unscathed. I am the complete opposite, probably too cautious.
Something we have to remember is that the Lord not only leads us through our earthly realm, but through the Spiritual realm. He sees the harm that could come to us spiritually, that if we are not careful to stay in the Word and seek the Lord continually, we could succumb to it. Anything that takes our eyes off Christ and onto worldly things can harm us spiritually. Whether by backsliding or setting a poor example as a Christian, we harm ourselves and the Lord’s testimony when we stop following Him. We don’t want to be Christians with a knack for finding themselves in harm’s way, but we want to be ones who diligently follow Jesus. “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.” 1 Peter 1:14-15
Let us follow the Lord’s lead to remain safe and protected in the shadow of His wings.
Prevents us from Creating Idols
Recently, I read the account in Exodus about the Israelites becoming impatient because Moses was on the mountain for so long. As a result, Aaron followed the Israelites' lead, taking all of their gold and making a golden calf for them to worship. When Moses came down the mountain with the tablets containing the Ten Commandments and saw what they had done, He smashed them to pieces. I’m sure he was thinking, “I leave you
for ten minutes and THIS is what you do?!” But seriously, sometimes I wonder, does God, our Heavenly Father, think this to Himself about us? We truly are an impatient bunch. Praise God, we have a long-suffering Father who loves us eternally. BUT that doesn’t mean we go on chasing after idols because everyone else is. God is very clear about how He feels about idol worship.
Idol worship can take many forms: fame, fortune, and adoration. All of those things may feel good, but when they distract us from God, they become idol worship.
There are also things that aren’t inherently bad, but if we become consumed with them, they become idols to us. These might be relationships, ministry jobs, or careers in general.
When we "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness… all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:33 When we pray before all of our decisions and choices, we follow God’s lead, ensuring that we honor God alone and not create idols outside of His will.
Let us follow the Lord’s lead to worship God and God alone.
Sets an Example
Circling back to the childhood game of “Follow the Leader,” the main purpose of that game was to mimic the leader in EVERYTHING they did. In today’s world of social media and influencers, it can be very tempting to follow the lead of a non-believer and mimic their behaviors. Again, this could be very subtle leading, but nonetheless, it leads a person to more worldly ways.
When we were born again, we became a new creation in Christ Jesus. As such, we are called to walk in the new man, following the Lord’s lead in all things. “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me,” Luke 9:23. Jesus sets the perfect example for life and living. BUT this doesn’t happen.
To follow Christ’s lead, we must know about Him. The only way to know Him is by being in the Word daily, becoming a student of Him, and being in a relationship with Him. The Holy Spirit then brings these things to your remembrance, convicting, prompting, and encouraging.
Let us follow the Lord’s lead by spending time in the Word daily and emulating Jesus in all we say and do.
How can you follow God’s lead in your own circumstances?
Is there an area of influence you should not be following in your life?
Lord, help me to know you fully so I can naturally follow your lead and lead others to you, in Jesus' Name.
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