Fridays are for  ‘Reclaiming Words!’

The intent of this series is to explore words that I think need to be introduced — or re-introduced — to this current generation of college students.

These words have lost their meaning… or have been mis-used or redefined in unhelpful ways… and therefore need to be reclaimed and redefined (again) so that they can be realized by our students!

Today’s word: FOLLOW.

It’s a word that means, among other things, to accept as a guide or leader; accept the authority of or give allegiance to. Also, to imitate or copy; use as an exemplar.

To accept (another) as a guide — or leader.

To accept the authority of… (another).

To give allegiance to… (another).

To imitate or copy… (someone worthy of emulation).

In a culture where everyone’s looking to be the leader of something — to generate their own following, their own tribe — many have forgotten about our need to be followers…  and how to go about even doing that.

And our students have picked up on this shift in our culture… and embraced it.

They don’t like the word follow… at least not when it implies that they’re the ones doing the following.

They’ve learned to associate it with weakness.

They know that it means that someone other than ‘ME’ is in control — making the decisions — and they don’t like that.

Following, they believe, makes them feel “less” — and they want to be the best. They want to believe they’re “complete,” “perfect” and “lacking in nothing.”

And it’s a major problem.

Because how can they possibly learn what it means to lead if they’re unwilling to first become a follower?

Truth be told… some of the worst leaders I know are the ones who have forgotten how to follow.

The words follow, follows, followed or following are found 435 times in the NIV translation of the bible — and occur consistently throughout both Old and New Testaments.

“Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd.” Ex. 32:2

“Now, Israel, hear the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land the LORD, the God of your ancestors, is giving you.” Deut. 4:1

“As for this temple you are building, if you follow my decrees, observe my laws and keep all my commands and obey them, I will fulfill through you the promise I gave to David your father.” I Kings 6:12

So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. Psalm 81:12

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. Psalm 111:10

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Mt. 4:19

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Mt. 19:21

But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. Rms. 2:8

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. I Cor. 11:1

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. I Tim. 4:1

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. I Peter 2:21

Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” Rev. 14:13

God seemed to make it clear — throughout the scriptures — that following was central to the kind of life He was establishing with His creation.

There would be opportunities to lead — for sure — but notice the tight correlation between God’s chosen leaders and their willingness to put themselves in a position of follower.

We must be leaders who follow Jesus.

And we must lead in such a way that (through both our actions and words) echos the words of Paul when he proclaims, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ!”