At WakyMC, our mission is simple but profound: to make disciples who love Jesus and love people. Our vision is equally clear, giving us a direction and identity as a church. We are committed to following Jesus, growing in faith, serving others, and multiplying disciples. We envision a church where lives are transformed, communities are impacted, and God’s kingdom is advanced. Over the next four weeks, we’ll explore the four key words guiding our vision, starting with the word Follow.
In a culture that idolizes leadership, it’s easy to forget the importance of followership. We attend conferences, read books, and invest in training to become better leaders, but when was the last time you focused on becoming a better follower?
I recently read a story about a young woman applying for college. Her application was strong, but one question gave her pause: “Are you a leader?” Feeling honest, she answered, “No,” and returned her application, expecting rejection. To her surprise, she was accepted with a letter that read, “We already have 1,452 new leaders; we need at least one follower.”
In today’s world, we follow many things—celebrities, influencers, trends—but Jesus isn’t looking for more leaders; He’s looking for followers. As Christians, following Christ is our most important calling. Jesus Himself said in Luke 9:23, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me.” There’s no such thing as a “halfway disciple.” To follow Jesus means giving Him our full devotion, making Him the center of our lives.
Who or What Are You Following?
In reality, we all follow something. It could be friends, culture, personal desires, or family. But Scripture tells us we can only truly follow one thing at a time (Matthew 6:24). The world may present us with countless options for “gods” to follow—whether it’s fame, wealth, or comfort—but God calls us to put nothing ahead of Him (Exodus 20:3; Mark 12:30).
In Deuteronomy 13, the Israelites were warned against following false gods, even if they were urged to do so by prophets or dreamers. Today, we face similar temptations to follow what seems appealing or popular, but it’s a test of our love for God. Are we willing to follow Him with all our heart, or will we be swayed by other desires?
Six Steps to Following God
In Deuteronomy 13:4, Moses outlines six steps for following God:
1. Follow the Lord your God – This means actively pursuing God, not passively going through the motions.
2. Fear Him – A healthy reverence for God shapes our lives and guides our decisions.
3. Keep His commandments – Scripture is our roadmap, but it’s not enough to read it; we must live it out.
4. Listen to His voice – God speaks through His Word. Are you spending time in Scripture, seeking His guidance?
5. Serve Him – Serving God by serving others helps us grow closer to Him and experience His power.
6. Cling to Him – This means holding tightly to God in every circumstance, recognizing that without Him, life doesn’t make sense.
Clinging to God
Joshua’s final words to Israel included this powerful exhortation: “Cling tightly to the Lord your God” (Joshua 23:8). The word “cling” evokes an image of desperation and dependence—like a wet raincoat clinging to you, or like someone holding on for dear life. It means recognizing that there’s no other option but God.
So, what are you clinging to today? Is it your bank account, your reputation, or your abilities? Jesus calls us to let go of these false sources of security and cling to Him alone. Self-sufficiency is the arrogant belief that we can do it all on our own, but true discipleship requires the humble acknowledgment that we must be intimately connected to God for life to have meaning.
As you reflect on these words, consider this: Who or what are you following? What are you clinging to? There’s only one path that leads to true life, and that’s the path of following Jesus with your whole heart.