If you’re a Christ-follower, you know the emphasis is on following Christ. I mean, who would ever try to become a leader of Christ, right? But what about a leader for Christ? That seems like a no-brainer. Of course, we want to be leaders for Christ! Well, except for some who shrink back from anything that might resemble a leadership role. Whether it’s because of insecurities or past baggage and judgments from others, being a leader is daunting or seems inconceivable. But as I challenge in an authenticity presentation I regularly share, we’re all leaders. Someone is always following us even it’s not because of a formal leader-follower relationship. People are always watching whether we think we’re worth watching or not.

Even in the church, there’s an emphasis on leadership development and leadership trends. God instructs his followers to be a light and example for others. He calls us to live differently and impact others’ lives for his glory. In the process, we’re leading others, but…it all starts with following.

What if we focused more on the following of faith than the leadership in faith?

If we’re following God, we’re going to lead others well. If we’re following God, we’ll be an example to others. If we’re following God, we’ll shine his light. If we’re following God, we’ll live differently than those around us. If we’re following God, we’ll impact others’ lives for his glory. But if we start with leading others–even with the intention of doing so within God’s will–we will eventually distort leadership. We will begin to veer off course, impacted by what others recommend more than what God commands. We’ll begin to look for things that confirm the ways we’re comfortable leading or the ways that make the most sense to us instead of conforming to God’s way.

Even if we have no intention of taking our eyes off God as we follow, when our focus becomes leadership, we’re in danger of distorting what God intends for our purpose and impact.

• How well are you following God?
• How important is following God in your daily life?
• What leadership lessons have you learned that you might need to set aside because they are either inconsistent with or a distortion of God’s teachings?

Pay attention to the assumptions you make throughout the day, how you’re responding, what you’re assuming, and how willing you are to invite God to challenge and change the way you follow.

It’s not about you. It’s about God. Are you willing to set yourself aside and fully follow?

Jesus said to them, “Come, follow me…” (Mark 1:17)