A few Sunday's ago the church we've been attending, but have not joined yet, began the transformation from the original Senior Pastor to a new Senior Pastor. Pastor Arlie (the original) is retiring and his son, Pastor Charlie (funny, I know) will become the new Senior Pastor. I'm excited about this as it's a new chapter in the church's life, and I look forward to the sermons and guidance from Pastor Charlie.
Instead of a typical sermon, they had more of a discussion. Pastor's Arlie and Charlie sat down and answered a few questions the congregation had emailed them the week before. Most of the questions were for Pastor Arlie on why he was retiring and what he would be doing with his time and if he was "going anywhere" after he retires. He assured the congregation that he was not "going anywhere" and that he was still going to be active in the church, just not at the Senior Pastor capacity. Some of the questions were directed to Pastor Charlie about what he was going to change and how he was going to help the church grow. In one of his responses he asked the question "Who do you follow?" He went on to say he followed the Lord and was obeying His direction on becoming the Senior Pastor, even though he was a little nervous about the new role (he was previously an Associate Pastor, so he wasn't coming in to the job blind). It was a rhetorical question for the congregation, but it really struck a chord with me.
"Who do you follow?" My immediate answer was "God." Plain and simple. I follow God; I do not follow Muhammad, or the Dali Lama, or Satan, or any other man created leader. He is my salvation, my protector, my rock, my refuge, my everything. Nothing comes before my God. Then, over the next few days I began to really think about that simple question and how I've been living my life recently. To be completely honest (even though I don't want to and it's kind of scary) I've been following Erin. Myself. Me. It's embarrassing to admit, and makes me sad too, but it's the honest truth. I have not been following God as He commands me to. I've also not been the wife I'm commanded to be either.
By not following God and living as He asks me to, I've let God, Kenny and myself down. This is not something I'm proud of at all, in fact I'm really upset. I'm better than that. It's not easy to follow God, but I can do that and, more importantly, I should be doing that. He never said it would be easy, but it is something I need to do. Not for myself, but for God and Kenny. When we do have children I want to set a good example for them of how Christians and husband and wife should treat one another. Also, on how as Christians, we are not better than any other humans and we should show ALL people (regardless of race, economic status, religion, country of origin, etc) exactly the same. As loved and adored children of God. Regardless of if they believe that or not, because we are all loved and adored children of God. Like it or not, it's simply true.
So, my goal in life is to be the daughter of Christ that He commands me to be and in turn become the wife I'm commanded to be as well. I know it's not going to be easy, but I also know that "This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.' " Zechariah 13:9.
My question to you is...
'Who do you follow?'
"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:12-14
