Leader or Follower

Matthew 15:14 (ESV)
"Let them alone; they are blind guides.  And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit."

Deuteronomy 5:24-27 (NIV)

And you said, “The Lord our God has shown us his glory and his majesty, and we have heard his voice from the fire. Today we have seen that a person can live even if God speaks with them.  But now, why should we die?  This great fire will consume us, and we will die if we hear the voice of the Lord our God any longer.  For what mortal has ever heard the voice of the living God speaking out of fire, as we have, and survived?  Go near and listen to all that the LORD our God says. Then tell us whatever the Lord our God tells you. We will listen and obey.”

John 16:13 (NLT)

 "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard.  He will tell you about the future." 

         Leadership is all over the media and affects all ages especially teens and kids today.  What about kids?  How should it be addressed?  What are good leaders?  When I was young  I never had a problem with making friends or hanging out with the wrong crowd, but I was always a team player; always following them around and doing what they did.  I listened to and sought after advice from mentors, teachers, and pastors but never really embraced it or stood for something on my own.  Growing up with a father who struggled with depression I never really had a leader in my life and was a little hesitant at first when I began to take on leadership roles.  I worried I didn't know what a leader was, but later realized I may have known more than I thought.
         There may be born leaders; however leadership is discovered.  If you look at the great leaders of today and through history, they all had guidance or someone to follow that formed how they lead and encourage others to follow the same things.  Even Jesus followed the example of his heavenly father.  When you think about it, choices determine who or what we follow.  If this is so doesn't that make them followers and not leaders?  "Hold up so you're saying there is no such thing as a leader?"  Don't get me wrong there are people who point or lead others in certain directions or they would not be called leaders; however they need a basis to form their opinions, thoughts, or ideas.  What it all comes down to is who do you follow?  When we learn to follow Christ it not only takes off the pressure, but leaves room for humility, and room for God's intervention or to do it God's way and not ours, so maybe I knew what I was doing all all along; to follow.  Yes we can lead others or point people to Christ, but is it not God who directs anyway?    
            A lot of kids and teens today find their life guidance from the people in the music and TV world.  While some may know who gives the best advice as many of you know that is not always the case and some just pick and choose the advice that seems right to them.  The world is starving for Godly leaders and true leaders follow rather than lead.   While we may not be able to control everything that influences our kids, we can do our best to set an example for them by following instead of leading.   We all have the opportunity to lead at some point whether big or small, so next time you have that opportunity to lead, ask yourself if you are following or leading. And the next time someone asks what makes a great leader you can say a good leader knows who is best to follow.   Joshua led the people into The Promise Land.  We need more Joshua's today.  Be the one who follows Christ and points others to Heaven, God's Kingdom or The Promise Land of today!!  

      God Bless,  
                 Kalei