From the journal . . . February 2002

Lord, I’m not sure how to verbalize this but I trust You; I know You see my heart and my mind. I imagine You watching and waiting for me to put the communication puzzle together. It is like when my students would put a sentence together with the words all mixed up. I’d cheer when they got it right!

I was talking to the Lord about some issues with people in leadership at my church. I wanted to go further in my own personal ministry but was not sure how. I was finding it hard to confidently follow them when I felt like they were taking us backwards.

And I Believe God Said:

Diane, I am your teacher. I am your leader. Follow Me!

Where Lord? Where are we going?

I brought Morris and Missy to your church. They are growing and you can learn from them. They are your church leaders. I want you to serve them in humility. You are wanting something from them. I want you to give them something: Respect. Honor. Obedience. These are all for their sake and for your growth. I have put them in leadership over you. In the same way, I have put Mark in leadership over you. There is a difference between leading and controlling.

Lord, how does one get people to follow without control? Can it be voluntary?

It is voluntary on the part of the follower. Leading is not the same as parenting. You follow Me because you love Me and you trust Me to know what’s best for you. My objective for you is always for your best. You know that, so you follow even though you may not really want to go where I take you. You can’t make anyone follow you in growth group or at church, but they will follow voluntarily. I can “make” them in the same way I make you follow Missy. As long as you choose to go to your church and are in a position of leadership, you need to follow her leading. You are free to leave your church. You are free to step down from the growth group. But you aren’t free to stay in that position and refuse the headship of Missy. You can learn from her. Truly, she can show you the way.

As I looked back, I realized I learned a lot during that time under Missy’s leadership. She was a very organized person, a great encourager and administrator, and seemed to love the Lord wholeheartedly. When they felt called to another church a year or so later, she was greatly missed.

From the Lord’s personal words to me, I learned that I need to respect and serve the leadership in humility, trusting God has placed them there. If I can’t, maybe I should consider if I am where I should be.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves… (Phil 2:3).

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you (Heb 13:17).

The second thing I was impressed with was following as a choice. I’m reminded of a t-shirt back in the 70’s or 80’s that said, “Follow me! I follow Christ!”  We have a choice in whom to follow.

Here is what I mean. One of you says, “I follow Paul.” Another says, “I follow Apollos.” Another says, “I follow Peter.” And still another says, “I follow Christ”(1 Cor 1:12).

Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ (1 Cor 11:1).

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me (John 10:27).