So I woke up this morning with a thought that I have been mulling in my mind for a few days …
did I teach them to not follow me?
Last week, my friend and I were chatting about people who follow other people rather than just follow Christ.
To hear such a thing is disheartening … frightening.
So, this morning, I awoke with a concern on my heart, did I teach our children to not follow me?
As a mom, much of our instruction to our children is based on the idea of follow my lead. They grow and develop greatly from mimicking what we say and what we do, just as we did in following our mothers (and fathers).
But, when it comes to who we follow in matters of faith, there is only one leader, only one to follow, Christ himself.
After-all, why follow a follower, when we can follow the leader?
I am a mere mortal, sin-filled from birth, sin-attracted every day of my life. I cannot save them, their souls. There is nothing praise-worthy or perfect in me, except the work of Christ through me.
If my children (anyone) were to follow me in the area of spiritual salvation, they would be lost … there is no salvation in me.
If they follow me, they are doomed to repeat my mistakes, they are doomed to follow me right into errors and weakness and pride.
If, though, they follow Christ, they are headed in the right direction, saved and loved as no human can.
To me, the best how to and why instruction on this topic of who to follow, is found in the chapter of Psalm 146:
“Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, my soul!
I will praise him as long as I live;
I will sing to my God all my life.
Don’t put your trust in human leaders;
no human being can save you.
When they die, they return to the dust;
on that day all their plans come to an end.
Happy are those who have the God of Jacob to help them
and who depend on the Lord their God,
the Creator of heaven, earth, and sea,
and all that is in them.
He always keeps his promises;
he judges in favor of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free
and gives sight to the blind.
He lifts those who have fallen;
he loves his righteous people.
He protects the strangers who live in our land;
he helps widows and orphans,
but takes the wicked to their ruin.
The Lord is king forever.
Your God, O Zion, will reign for all time.
Praise the Lord!”
To my kids (and anyone else who might have gotten this mixed up), don’t follow me, for I am lost too … follow Christ, for he will reign for all time … I am as dust.
itsawonderfilledlife 