Ghost Followers

Within the world of social media there is a term known as "Ghost follower". According to Wikipedia a ghost follower or a "lurker" is someone who, "is typically a member of an online community who observes, but does not participate." These are the people that scroll your account but never like, double tap or comment. For those passionate about social media lurkers or ghost followers are the worst. They want to know who is seeing their stuff. They long to draw these lurkers out of the shadows and to interact with them. Personally, this is a 1 to me.  Like the photos, don't like them, comment or don't. I'm good either way.

As I've been thinking about this ghost follower idea I've been reminded of the words that Jesus told His disciples in the book of Luke. Bible Gateway records it like this, "Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me." What did Jesus have in mind when He said this to his followers? Follow at a distance? Follow when convenient? Follow when comfortable? I'm confident that His intention then and now is that we would follow closely and loudly.

Closely in the sense of hanging on every word that flows from His Spirit.
Closely in that we would without question hear Him when He speaks.
Closely in the sense that we would without hesitation respond when He calls.

Loudly in the sense that those closest to us would undoubtedly know who we claim as Lord of our lives.
Loudly in the sense that those in the greatest need would see Jesus in and through us.
Loudly in the sense that we would stick out as a light in the midst of a dark world. 

That's my prayer for me life and I'll pray the same for you as well (regardless of whether or not you comment or like this post). "God I pray that you would allow me to follow you closely and loudly with everything I have inside of me. May there be no question who I stand for, who I love and who I have committed my life to. Amen." ​Be encouraged and keep moving forward. 

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