My best friend and I like to joke about who is the leader. We've been friends a long time, and over the years, we have bragging rights about who discovered a certain restaurant first or introduced us to a certain pop-culture icon, like a media platform or Netflix show or an artist (FYI - I still get dibs on Snapchat and Adele ;)).
When we're deciding what to do while hanging out, one of us will joke that we should go with X or Y plan because "I'm the leader."
More recently, we were hiking in Palo Duro Canyon over the summer with our husbands, and we were in front with the boys behind us. We'd playfully edge in front of each other and say, "No, you're following me. I'm the leader."
Of course, our running banter is all in good jest, but the Lord reminded me of it, especially our silliness while hiking, as I've been mediating on Mark 8:34, where Jesus says to take up your cross daily and follow me.
My friend and I at the Canyon that day no doubt provide a picture of my heart sometimes, wrestling with Jesus to be first, to be in control, to be the leader.
But you know what the Lord gently whispered?
You can't lead when you're following.
The very principal of following Jesus means I'm not leading--He is.
He is the King of this Kingdom, and yes, I am His daughter, and yes, He has given me an inheritance and status and all the riches of His glorious hope.
But I'm still to be submitted to Him. He's in charge.
This verse says to take up our cross daily, I think, because we need to remember to choose submission to His authority every day, every moment.
The Lord always amazes me. Even when I'm trying to be in control, and it's falling apart, I can usually look back and later see how He actually orchestrated an even greater plan.
So, Lord, let me--let us--remember today: there's only one leader in this relationship, and it's You.
May we choose to follow you daily.