Prayers for those who have lost social confidence Follow the Leader No words. Just music and moving. During a twenty-four-hour Zumba marathon amid the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of people from around the globe worked out together and virtually followed instructors from India, China, Mexico, America, South Africa, the UK, parts of Europe and several other places. These diverse individuals were able to move together without any language barriers. Why? Because instructors of the exercise craze Zumba, created in the mid-1990s by a Colombian aerobics instructor, utilise non-verbal cues to communicate. Class instructors move, and students follow their lead. They follow with no words uttered or shouted. Words can sometimes get in the way and create barriers. They may cause confusion such as the Corinthians experienced, as noted in Paul’s first letter to them. It was confusion brought about by differing views of disputable matters pertaining to the eating of particular foods (1 Corinthians 10:27–30). But our actions can transcend barriers and even confusion. As Paul says in today’s passage, we should show people how to follow Jesus through our actions—seeking “the good of many” (10:32–33). We invite the world to believe in Him as we “follow the example of Christ” (11:1). Perhaps after so many months of isolation and lockdowns, you feel less confident about getting back out in the wider community—and with less energy for handling social situations. Maybe the idea of talking freely about your faith is more daunting than ever. It’s okay to start small; as someone once said, “Preach the gospel at all times. Use words when necessary.” As we follow Jesus’ lead, may He guide the way we live and the actions we take to cue others to the reality of our faith. And may our words and actions be done “all for the glory of God” (10:31). Adapted from the Our Daily Bread article “Follow the Leader” by Katara Patton
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