Mickey Mantle, an almost mythical baseball star who feared he had failed to fulfill career expectations because of alcohol abuse and whose latter years were haunted by self-recrimination, died of cancer in 1995. He was 63. The former New York Yankees center fielder and a member of baseball’s Hall of Fame said at a news conference that he had squandered a gifted life and warned admirers he was no role model. “God gave me the ability to play baseball. God gave me everything,” he said. “For the kids out there, don’t be like me.” Like many boys growing up in the 1960’s, Mickey Mantle was one of the baseball idols who could do no wrong. But just like everyone else who has walked this planet, Mickey was human and made mistakes. The thing about Mickey, was he realized this and was not afraid to say so.
Source: ESPN

How do you follow a leader? One that excites you to go all in on what the mission and vision that leader has?

The first type of “follow” comes from the Greek word “dioko” which means “to pursue, to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavor to acquire”. This is used primarily for following after, in the chasing sense or pursuing after virtue and good things. The following scriptures all use this Greek word “dioko”: Romans 14:19, 1Timothy 6:11, and Hebrews 12:14.

This type of “following” that we are to implement in our lives is quite emphatic. We are to pursue or follow, with a high degree of priority, things like peace, love, spiritual gifts, righteousness, godliness and holiness.

The second type of “follow” comes from the Greek “mimetes” which means “to mimic” or “imitate” or an “imitator.” The apostle Paul used this leadership principle more than any other leader in the Bible in places like 1 Corinthians 11:1 and 1 Corinthians 4:16

The third type of “follow” comes from the Greek word “opiso” (opisw) which means “to the back.”.This connotes getting behind or follow from behind. This can also mean, “to go off in order to follow one, to join one’s party”. “Opiso” is quite commonly translated as “walk after”, “come after” or “go after” someone or something. This word fits the concept we have today of following someone in the corporate, political or military realm or even as children play “Follow the Leader”. This would also describe the natural human tendency of wanting to follow. Some scripture reference to help with this include 2 Peter 2:10, Acts 20:30, and Luke 21:8.

There is a fourth type of “follow” which is the one that is emphasized as the model to follow in the scriptures. It comes from the Greek word “akoloutheo” (akolouqew) which means “to be in the same way with, to accompany”. This signifies a “come with me” or “walk with me” approach. This is the most common type of the translated word “follow”. Scriptures that focus on this model include Matthew 8:22, Matthew 9:9, Mark 1:18, and John 12:26. Jesus was not asking for his disciples to just get behind him or the cause that he stood for as if to join his political party. He was desiring them to accompany him, to walk with him or to go in the same way as he was going.

That is what true leadership is; guiding people to go in the same direction arm in arm with the same purpose, vision and mission.