Those Who Follow Us

There are many reasons why the Lord doesn’t want His children to be weary warriors or fainting saints. One reason is that others are always watching us–even nonbelievers who are struggling with the pressures of everyday life, and longing to see something in you and me that will give them a reason to believe. How we respond to our own daily trials may very well play a part in whether or not these people ever turn to God.

Scripture says: “So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs. Mark out a straight path for your feet. Then those who follow you, though they are weak and lame, will not stumble and fall but will become strong.” (Hebrews 12:12-13 NLT) In these verses, the Lord is urging us to do whatever we have to in order to remain strong in spirit, so that those who “follow” us won’t stay or become weak, or end up stumbling because of us. Some of these people may be believers who are struggling in their faith. They may be keeping an eye on you and me, hoping to see us handle the demands of daily living with Christlike confidence, instead of with fear, worry, or doubt. And they may long to see us doing the right thing in every circumstance, even when the right thing isn’t being done to us.

You might be surrounded by cynical people right now who you think couldn’t care less about how you live your life. Don’t be deceived into thinking that these folks wouldn’t be inspired and encouraged by seeing you living a Christlike life. If you will live your life on the “straight path,” God will honor you for your integrity, and He will enable you to touch and change lives for all eternity!