Growing up, whenever my friends and I were caught doing something wrong, my mom would say, “if your friends jumped off a cliff, would you?”
At the time that question seemed ridiculous. Now, I am not so sure. It seems that sentiment is truer now than I ever imagined.
Today, we can see “the need to follow” is real and actively on display all around us. The interesting thing for me is all the while people are following, they believe they are expressing their individuality.
From division across every imaginable line, to mask and vaccine mandates and open borders; being hailed as a demonstration of caring for others, we see people living out their need to follow.
Though this is not new, it is more easily seen today than ever before, and it seems different somehow. Perhaps what makes it different is the results are seen in community decay, soaring prices, a collapsing stock market and policies being pushed forward by governments which are designed to crush the liberties and freedoms of its citizenry.
“The need to follow” is causing people to submit to division and deceptions which are leading us all to an uncertain future, at best.
In the middle of all of this, is the reality we all do have a need to follow. What we must understand is, it is who we follow that determines where we go.
In my life, I have chosen to follow Jesus. Even in the uncertainty we are facing, His Word is certain. In the middle of the division and chaos He provides unity and peace. His model, if followed, will lead us to learning to truly care about others and live our lives as if we do.
The question is, will we allow “the need to follow” to lead us off the cliff or will realize there is a better way?
The answer is crucial. As we find ourselves on the precipice of a permanent change to the lifestyle, we have all known and grown accustomed to, this change is not one we can look at and dismiss as a passing fad. This change is feeding “the need to follow” and is leading us to a future unlike anything we have ever known.
If true, it is time for the Church of Jesus Christ to open its eyes and see where “the need to follow” is leading it as well. When this happens, I believe we will see just how close to the edge we are.
Perhaps then, we will begin to view “the need to follow” with great skepticism and trepidation. If not, we may find we have already followed the world off the cliff!
John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
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