NOTEworthy February 28

Lead Me Lord by Will Todd

Lead me, Lord, lead me in your righteousness,
make your way plain before my face.
Only my Lord brings me safety,
So Lead me Lord.
Samuel Sebastien Wesley, edited

“You’re such a follower.”

“Sheeple.”

“Why can’t you think for yourself?”

“Copycat!”

From just a handful of phrases, it becomes pretty clear that some part of culture holds some disdain for those that are not wholly original.

One of the tricky aspects we run into when we try to live as Christians in the modern world is this conflict between the holiness of following and the glory of leadership. In America today, leadership is seen as an incredibly important and desirable trait. Leadership is a sign of our independence of thought and our strength of will and character.

Leaders in their field are often the best at what they do, and we are a culture slightly obsessed with being the best. We deify those who are the best, whether they be the best at writing music, throwing footballs, or doing business. You can tell we deify them, because brands will pay these people millions of dollars simply to associate with them. Just their endorsement and face on a poster is worth literal millions.

Clearly, it is those who lead the pack that thrive in our society, and yet, here is David, crying out to the Lord to be led. David, a king in his own right, a leader in arts and music in his day, but he begs the Lord, “Please, allow me to follow you.” He doesn’t say, “Make me a stronger king and a more inspired artist,” but instead he cries “Lead me, Lord.”

Those three words might be one of the most significant prayers in all of scripture.

As much as we try to complicate it, faith might just be as simple as acknowledging that we are not in the driver’s seat, and making room for He who is. In a world full of aspiring leaders, our radical choice is to be a follower of Christ. Let us keep our eyes ever on Him.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2

Andy Eaton
Director of Music
First Presbyterian Church

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