A Note From Rob ...
Week of September 13, 2009
Follow the leader is a hard game to play. It is a childhood game that many have played in days gone by. I was
reminded if that when watching our More at Four class getting ready to go outside to play. I have observed it in
the Through the Week School and in every such class throughout the years. It seems there was a line leader. Each
child was to get in line behind the person in front of them. Person one would lead person two and so on until the
caboose brought up the rear.
How do you think it worked? Oh, I see you have been around children before. The jostling for position was akin
to getting horses in the paddock to begin the Kentucky Derby. The notable exception was there was no way to
hold them in place until the bell rang and someone shouted, “They’re off!”
Following is just hard for some children in the classroom to master and following is hard for some children of
God to do as well. It is especially difficult when the road stretching before us is one that leads to self-denial and
crucifixion. Christianity is an easier sell when blessing, prosperity and abundance of the things of life are part of
the package.
A recent trip to the bookstore had me standing before a host of books written by Christian authors that were
selling how good an investment Christianity was. Right below was the section on selling, wealth accumulation
and self-improvement. It seemed they all had a common denominator. It was self advancement, a better life with
more success as measured by materialistic standards.
No wonder Peter called Jesus out when Jesus told his followers of self-denial, cross-bearing and loss of life to
discover how to live. Who would want to follow that leader? That road leads to a cross and death.
Well, actually it leads through the cross, death and self-denial and self-sacrifice to life- real life and real, abundant
and eternal life. Such is the paradox and mystery of the gospel. We find life when we forsake it. We find our way
when we follow Jesus.
I hope to see you Sunday. Why not follow Jesus to worship this Sunday?
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