As a minister, it is not uncommon for a children’s class to do some project to show their appreciation for the church staff. Several years ago, one of our children’s classes did just that. They made book marks from regular copy paper. On the paper they wrote a verse and included some artwork along with a three word reminder.
It still hangs above my desk on my bulletin board. The verse comes from Hebrews 13:7 and says, “Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith.” Below the verse is a hand-drawn cross and the symbol of the fish. Then below the multi-colored artwork is this phrase, “Follow the Leader.”
What a humbling reminder that children (adults as well) are watching what I do and how I live as a model for their own faith. Knowing myself as I do, at times I want to say, “Don’t look to me.” But I know that God planned the Christian community this way – to learn from and lean on one another. I also realize that as a minister, for better or worse, I am more in the spot light than many. So I am tremendously humbled.
But as I think about this reality today, I also know that who I want people to see in me is Jesus. So while the children who made this bookmark for me were telling me that they are watching me so as to imitate my faith, I must always be watching Jesus to be able to imitate him.
Who are you watching today?
Follow the Leader!
Clay in the Hands 
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