As a former procrastinator, I like to benefit from any counsel that will help me do what needs doing when it needs doing. However, I have to be on guard about the source of the counsel. Is it self-promoting? Does it elevate my “self”? Does it hold the Lord and scripture in high regard? I need to filter advice through Truth.
To “follow” is to go behind or to obey someone. We also use it to indicate that we pay attention to something. Psalm 63:8 says “My soul follows close behind YOU.” That’s a Christ follower. Whoever we follow, we tend to be like. It’s easy to find ourselves following others instead of Him and modeling ourselves after them.
There are self-help books and speakers. We have friends we admire. Online sites even call their readers “followers.” I can also “follow” something I’ve created in my imagination. Am I pouring my time and attention into these people and things instead of the Lord?
Paul tells us to recognize a good example and learn from others – with the purpose of growing more Christlike. He knows whoever we watch we tend to be like. Therefore, sometimes we adopt a practical tip but refuse the author’s philosophy or motivation behind it.
Sometimes we’re caught up in the crowd that follows Jesus. We might pay more attention to the people around us, enjoy them and their ideas, fit in with them to such an extent that we forget Him. We’ve gotten so far back in the group, we can’t see Jesus anymore. If we’re following the crowd, we may not be following Him. We’ve lost sight of Him.
This year, let’s be so close to Jesus that the dust from His sandals gets on our feet. Then we’ll have the appropriate perspective on ourselves, other followers, and the world. From Him we can obtain the counsel that really helps. Close to Him, we take on His priorities and timeline.
What source of counsel will you be sure to filter through God’s Word?
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