Where Are We Being Led?

Riding into the sunset
Originally uploaded by Magic Martin

We all have a desire to be led. Some of us have the desire to lead. Either way, if you want to know a little about leaders and leadership there are countless books, blogs, and seminars all clamoring for your attention. This isn't a post about leadership, nor is it a post about leaders. It's about direction.

Leaders play a very important part in our lives whether they be leaders in the church, workplace, government, or some other aspect of our lives. Ultimately leaders can, if we permit them, direct the path of our lives.

It's important that we ask who will lead us. It's important that we know who is leading us. It's even more important that we understand the direction we are being led. It is possible to be led in a direction we never intended or wanted. It happens all of the time.

History provides for us example after example. On one extreme you have characters like Jim Jones, Adolf Hitler, and Fidel Castro. On the other extreme you have characters such as Abraham Lincoln, Steve Jobs, and Winston Churchill. All of whom are or were leaders. They have displayed charisma, an ability to lead, and a willingness to direct the masses. The difference (aside from the obvious different movements or governments they lead or have led) is the direction they provided to their followers. Jim Jones convinced his followers to move into the jungle and ultimately drink poisoned Kool-Aid. Winston Churchill convinced his country to hunker down during the air raids of Nazi Germany and to never give in. We could go on, but I think you get my point. The most important aspect of a leader is the direction they are guiding their followers toward. As history proves to us, it is possible to be led in a direction we will regret.

"Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction." ~ John F. Kennedy

We may place all of our effort and courage into following the leader or our choice. Yet without a clear understanding of that leader's purpose and direction we may find ourselves traveling down a path we did not intend.

The next time we find ourselves about to make a decision on who we want to lead us, no matter what area of our life, let's be sure to ask the most important question of all. Where are we being led?