Hold on

It was a simple example…

Last week we met with our Mission Leadership Council in our home.

It is always a powerful experience as we talk, share and counsel together.

A few themes emerged in our session.

Followership and Discipleship were two of them.

The flip side of leadership is followership.

Powerful followership is not about being blindly obedient or passively compliant; it involves active engagement, participation, constructive thinking, shared responsibility, taking direction and to 𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒐𝒏.

It matters – a lot!

With the help of one of the missionaries, I used a teaching exercise that captured an insightful message.

I asked Brigitta Broadbent to stand and extend her hand a few inches below my own hand.

Then, I invited her to follow the movements of my hand from side to side and up and down.

I moved my hand rapidly and unpredictably.

Although Brigitta did well, it was evident for all to see that as the follower, she often fell behind.

I asked Brigitta and the others how could she do better?

Their response…?

It was simple really…

Trusting me, she clasped my hand and held on.

We tried again.

The result?

It was easy for Brigitta to follow my hand movements with exactness and precision.

Similarly, every missionary, as a follower and disciple of Jesus Christ, works tirelessly to be as close to Jesus Christ, by holding on to Him.

Daily, they place their nametags next to their hearts, as a constant reminder as to who they follow and cling to.

Part of following Jesus Christ is leading others to Him.

Neal A. Maxwell said: “We cannot lead or draw others to Christ unless we stand closer to Him than they do.”

How can you be a better follower?