The first rule in playing Follow the Leader is you need to deny yourself of the leadership role and submit to following the Leader. In the game, there can be only one Leader that everyone playing follows and imitates. The Leader begins the game with this statement “If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24 NLT) To pick up “his cross” means to bear the burdens of the trials and tribulation that the game will take you through without complaining but with a steadfast and total focus on the Leader before you. What he does and endures you must do as well, or you fail at the game. One essential point we must consider in following the Leader is choosing the right Leader before the game begins. If any leader’s opening statement to follow does not include the cross, picking up a pleasure is a leader taking you to self-destruction. Therefore, avoid this Leader’s trap.

In the game of Follow the Leader, the leader has a goal and a destination to where he wants to go and where he would like his followers to join him. Picking up the cross is the key to entering into the final stage of the game, which is to enter through the gate of heaven. Without the cross, there is no salvation and no hope of eternal life. The leader is the first to pick up his cross of salvation and life. The leader cannot expect a follower to do something that he has not done first. Jesus is the leader who goes before us and leads the way. Jesus bears His cross and overcomes the obstacle of death. As we follow Him, we step where He steps; we jump where He jumps. In turn, we can bear our cross and die with Him and live with Him and make the same leap into eternal life. A childhood game that has a powerful meaning for our spiritual life.

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