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“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God being careful to do His commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.”  Deuteronomy 28:1 (ESV)

Following is so easy, isn’t it?  After all it takes out the element of deciding what to do – we just simply follow someone else.  Slide right into place with what our tribe is doing.  Releasing the burden of choosing for self.  No decision to make.  No second guessing. Just fall in line and move in sync with everyone else.

Take it a step further and social media introduced us to the term “followers” to define those who read what we post and stay tuned to see what we tweet or post next.  Takes little effort to click, scroll and read what magically appears on our screen.  Following grants us access to a mirage of thoughts, agendas and personalities.

One seemingly slight yet significant problem here with following…. If we’re not careful us “followers” can be quietly led and influenced in directions we never intended.  Happens ever so easily –  everyone has an audience these days.  Guarding our ears and mind has never been so crucial.  Lots of opinions and preferences seeking to gain our attention and following.

Flip back through the pages of the Old Testament and we are reacquainted with a group of “followers” better known as the Children of Israel – God’s chosen people.  Moses had quite a time getting these wanderers to “follow” God’s commands.  Perhaps it was their tendency to grumble and complain which resulted in impatience.  Maybe they were actually choosing to follow each other’s actions rather than being set apart and obeying God.  Could it be these followers were actually following the wrong one?

We can find ourselves entrapped as well – wandering aimlessly following whoever steps into our path.  Giving our attention and time to the voice of those whose agenda doesn’t’ serve us well.  Before we know it, we find ourselves sounding just like the ones we follow.

God’s idea – follow me.  Simple and concise.  We are to follow God’s commands, listen intently for His voice and conform to His will – not our own.  Guarding our heart and mind from the wrong and often popular voice. And yes we will find ourselves facing many crossroads – intersections where we will have to choose which way to go.  Moments when we would rather move in sync with our friends than move in sync with God.

Obedience isn’t easy but it is worth it.  God’s promise to the Israelites were blessings and protection if they chose to obey.  Their faithfulness to Him would provide a protective hedge not exempting them from trials or challenges but delivering them from their enemies.  Don’t know about you, but I need God’s protection over my life, my thoughts and the voices attempting to overshadow His will.

Following is effortless – obeying is strategic, intentional and courageous.  It’s our choice – let’s choose well.

“Father, help us to listen attentively to Your voice and to submit to your authority in our lives. Help us to resist the urge to rebel and dismiss your commands.  Give us a determination and boldness to only follow You.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life