I’m a wannabe. Are you a wannabe? What do you wannabe?
I wannabe a traffic cop. Then, I would get to blow a whistle and wave my ams around directing traffic. Everyone driving a vehicle would see me. I’d be in the spotlight! NAH!
On the other hand, I’d wannabe a traffic sign on the side of the road standing there 24/7, rain or shine, hot or cold. I would hardly be noticed at all as I quietly point my arrow in the direction people should go. Hmm. Maybe not.
I do know of One whose more than a wannabe. He is. He is a mighty and proactive Leader of people! This Leader led a mass of people in a most dramatic way. He was a pillar of cloud (like a controlled tornado funnel) by day to lead the way and by night, a pillar of fire to give the people light. He cleared a path by parting the Red Sea. He led them though wilderness for 40 years to their destination – the Promised Land. Moses experienced this mighty Leader first-hand.
But this mighty and proactive leader of the mass is also a one-on-one, gentle Guide who led a young shepherd. David, the shepherd, attested to the gentle way this One led him when he wrote, “He leads me beside the still waters. He leads me in the path of righteousness. He made known to me the path of life and in His presence is fullness of joy.”
It is said of this One that if people would acknowldege Him in all their ways, that He will direct their paths – not like a traffic cop directs, but with strength and purpose. He does not need a whistle to command attention, nor does He stand passively alongside the road pointing the way. No. He is the way! He calls people with hearts to believe, saying, “Come! Follow Me.”
Jesus is the One who would stand in the middle of a 2-prong fork in the road. One prong of the road is very broad with millions of people traipsing merrily on their way. “Don’t go down that road,” He says, with tears in His eyes. The people laugh and scoff at His warning as they crowd through the wide open gate. Just before they enter the black eerie darkness, each one glimpses a sign over the gate that reads, “Those who enter here have no hope.” That’s when they heard wailing, but it was their own wretched wail that assaulted their ears.
On the other prong of a much narrower road, the people numbered few in comparison. They were walking and leaping and praising Jesus – the One who directs our paths; the One who leads us to our destination <<– Pay attention here. Through Jesus death, burial, resurrection and ascension, He leads His people out of slavery to sin and Satan’s power into glorious liberty. That is a destination far greater than the earthly Promised Land. A destination that lasts for all eternity where there is fullness of joy!
We are not defined by what we do, but rather by who we are. For that reason, I wannabe a completely commited, take-up-your-cross-and-follow-Me believer. Who do you wannabe?