Whatever you follow;You will become...

I have recently reminded myself daily; To be the LEADER’S; LEADER! That has been something that stuck with me and even now that as a mother it’s something I teach my son. Now for me, it wasn’t extremely hard growing up because my view of a leader, or now what I call a fruitful person, was someone who stood out from the in crowd, very respectful, they lived to make a difference, and they were trustworthy. Because of what I seen, I modeled my behavior after Fruitful people or Leaders around me. Now, I’m not saying that for 25 years I was perfect, never followed the in crowd, or punished for following the wrong thing because I did.

Example, in elementary school I had the best music teacher! She was the class everybody couldn’t wait to get to. She was very down to earth and gave the best birthday candy bags EVER! Now, everybody that knows me knows I love snacks, and my love was there at a very young age. So, this one of my friends suggest that we tell the teacher that it was our birthday! It was four of us but I was determined to get a bag so I agreed. Got there and we all looked at each other with the Kevin Hart “IT’S ABOUT TO GO DOWN” face and began our plan. First girl; successful…Second Girl; successful…Third Girl; the teacher was apprehensive but it was successful. PAUSE! This is when I found out that I wasn’t a good schemer because I don’t pay attention. I was in la-la land singing and didn’t notice that the teacher wasn’t buying it anymore. So, the fourth girl was me, I walked up like the other three and was like ‘hey it’s my birthday too!” she pulled out my information card; I was busted! Not only did I not get my snacks but she called my mom and I missed recess for a week! Simple but you get the point! It happens to the best of us!

However, what I don’t get is how we choose what we follow? Like seriously, some of the things our generation follows are outrageous and are not grooming us to be fruitful believers; AT ALL! So, my reoccurring questions to myself and others have been: How do we choose what we follow? We all produce something but whether its beneficial or not, WE PRODUCE! It’s very important that we know what type of fruit (offspring or consequence on a mental, physical, or spiritual action) something or someone bears before agreeing to follow them.

Jesus makes it very clear that we will know who or what to follow by the fruit it produces. Simple, A bad tree can only produce bad fruit and a good tree only can produce good fruit. Then, Jesus says that because we are connected to him (true Vine), chose and appointed us to go (followers of Christ) that we are supposed to produce much fruit; forever! We are warned numerous times by Jesus about false teacher, friends, partners, boyfriends, girlfriends and the list could keep going, that comes to us looking innocent but are very dangerous and deceiving. That’s why Jesus tells us that if we are his sheep: we know HIS VOICE and that we WON’T follow a stranger!

I know it may seem like I’m being redundant, but It’s important that we follow the right leader and be connected to the right things to become a fruit-bearing believer like Christ intended for us to be! All great leader produces after like kind. Not saying that you are identical or a clone because God made us with differences but your core values and standards should be the same. When we know the Father, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us, we are less likely to fall victim to false teachers. Jesus said, not everyone that say they knows me and love me will enter heaven. OMG, if that’s the case, then not everybody that screams they’re a leader should be followed! Man looks at the outer but God looks at the heart; And your heart is a direct reflection of what you produce and who you follow! What you produce may look good to other but can go against what God wants you to produce. Go read about the fig tree!

All I’m saying is, allow the Holy Spirit to reveal truth! We can’t be scared to ask the hard questions: What does my tree produce? Does my tree reflect the Tree of Life? Am I really connected to the God? Listen, when we follow Jesus, we bear good fruit endlessly, but the moment we choose to change leaders (Disconnect from God) we change the game. For real, don’t just live life following any ole thing; Get back on track; I had too! He will tell you if you’re becoming more like him or more like them. And some of “them” he doesn’t even know!