Following

“Those who follow the crowd usually get lost in it.” 

–  Rick Warren (b. 1954), Pastor of Saddleback Church and author of “The Purpose Driven Life“

Following is not a bad thing.  There are rules we should follow, and yes, that’s from a disliker of rules.  There are routes we should follow, depending on where we hope to arrive.  There are customs we might follow and traditions we may follow.

And, there are people we can follow.

As long as we know why we’re following whomever we’re following.

If we’re following the boss, but the only reason we’re following the boss is that they’re the boss — it’s worth determining if the boss is going somewhere we want to go.

If we’re following a pastor (and Rick Warren is worth following), it’s important to make sure that we keep the pastor secondary to the God he represents.

If we’re following a celebrity, is it because they stand for something or they look like something, or they drive something or they — whatever?

Yes, this is another “Why?” post.

Whomever we’re following, whatever we’re chasing may or may not be good or bad, right or wrong.  (Thanks, Dr. Graf!)

It’s just that we’d better danged sure understand (and occasionally challenge) why we’re following or chasing.

Leaders — Difference Makers — are obligated to set a course for followers to choose; one that is good and fulfilling, or one that serves a greater end.

Followers are free to — in fact called to choose.

And we’d better danged sure understand why we’re choosing…