The next day, John was standing with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this and followed Jesus.   John 1:35-37

These days we all seem to have followers. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, blogs, other forms of social media. It’s the thing.  But here’s what I’ve been wondering lately:

Where I am leading the people who are following me? What am I pointing them to? Am I pointing them to myself or to the Lord?

In John 1:35-37, John the Baptist is preaching. And standing there with him where two of his disciples. John had followers. But when Jesus passes by, John points to Him and says, “Look. The Lamb of God!” Right after he said that, verse 37 says, “The two disciples heard him say this and followed Jesus.”

 They left John and started following Jesus.

That really struck me.

There wasn’t a choice as to whether they were on ‘Team JTB’ (John the Baptist) or ‘Team Jesus.’

John made it crystal clear that there was only one team.

Team Jesus.

That was John’s entire mission. The sole purpose of his life was to point others to Jesus. That they would follow Jesus Christ.

 

I think a lot about my life and how quickly it’s passing by. I look around at this old world and I’m reminded daily how broken it is. I want to make my life count for the time the Lord has given me here. I want to leave a lasting legacy when I’m gone.

Don’t we all?

Then the other day I had this thought. It’s not our legacy that we need to leave– it’s HIS! If people don’t remember our names after we’re gone, that’s okay. May we live our lives in such a way that we cause others to remember His name and know Him.

See the whole purpose of my life on this earth is not supposed to be about me. It’s not the ‘Rachel’ saga (although I try to turn it into that sometimes). My story is part of a greater story. His story. He has allowed me the great honor and privilege to be part of His grand story. I am not the main character. He is.

I used to wake up in the mornings and ask God to bless my plans. I’m trying to change that. Now when I wake up, I’ve started asking the Lord if I can be part of His plan. Be a part of what He’s blessing. Go where He’s leading. Love and encourage the people He brings my way. And say the words He wants me to say. That I will tell them His story.

See it’s not important that people see me. But it’s eternally important that they see Him.

Our goal is not to hoard followers for ourselves.

Our goal, like John, is that our followers follow Jesus.

It’s not ‘Team Rachel’ or ‘Team Jesus.’

It’s just Team Jesus.