We all understand peer pressure. People, especially teens and young adults can get caught up in following the crowd or the wrong people with devastating results. As parents, we educate and warn our children about it. But it never goes away. Who we follow matters.
On social media we follow people, companies and groups. We click on like and follow because we want to see what they do and say. What we post, like and follow gives insight into what we think and believe.
To share a message of wellness in body, mind & soul, I’ve delved further into social media recently. People tweet, like and follow all kinds of things and it’s easy to get caught up in all of it. I often check to see who liked, shared or followed me on Facebook or Twitter. Sometimes, to the point of procrastinating on things I should be doing. Kids are even more vulnerable.
But this is the world today. Social media and sharing things is how people communicate. It can be used for good or bad, but unlike the peer pressure we all grew up with, it’s easier and more instant. It’s difficult to take something back once we post, tweet or share it.
I believe less is more but then I also think-maybe someone needs to hear this today? So I struggle with following. It’s the reason I write this blog, to reinforce my commitment to Jesus and hopefully encourage others along the way.
I desire to follow Jesus more than anyone or anything else. But I’m a sinful person. I am selfish and don’t want to always follow as He tells us to in Matthew 16:24:
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.
I try to do this, but sometimes get swept up in the ways of this world. The apostle Paul reminds us all how to follow well in Colossians 2: 6-7:
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
I love the part about the roots growing into Jesus. For roots to grow, they need light and water. If their care is neglectful or sporadic, the roots will be weak and shallow. Shallow and weak roots will fail in harsh times. Deep roots have a reserve for hard times.
Deep roots are created by connecting with His Light each day in the Bible, attending worship and applying what is learned. The life transformation that occurs when Jesus is the One I follow first is amazing. All the rest seems insignificant.
Whether it’s getting caught up in this world or my own selfish ways, following Him is how I attempt to avoid the pitfalls that sin can create in my life. As Jesus puts it in John 8:12:
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
His light leads me out of my selfish ways and into the Light of eternal life. Truly He is the only One I need to follow.