The way someone follows in a car caravan speaks volumes about them – their personality, diligence, consideration, and attentiveness among other things.
Do they lag behind, allow cars to get in between, cruise in different lanes, get caught behind traffic lights? Or do they follow behind closely, anticipating lane changes, not allowing for any chance of separation? To someone in a lead car, a good follower is like a friend and a brother!
I’ve found that good caravan-ers tend to be good followers overall. They respect the leader by staying in close proximity, being ready for changes, doing what they can to make life easier for everyone. Not coincidentally, they tend to be good leaders, too. Their consideration and respect translates to being reasonable, consistent, and conscientious, getting everyone who follows to their destination without incident.
Over the years “the caravan test” has served to be a pretty useful indicator of one’s ability to follow and, subsequently, to lead. Simply put: If a person has a problem following in a caravan, then they may have a problem following a minister, a ministry, and even the Lord – not always, but more often than not. Faithfulness in the little things, even as it applies to following, cannot be overstated.
Lu 16:10 “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.
Just as Jesus would abide in the Father, and Moses would seek God’s face on the mountain and in the tabernacle, and King David would humble himself in the Word and prayer, so are excellent Christian leaders first, and foremost, faithful followers – tenacious followers!
Once, when sharing about “the caravan test”, a visitor from a local ministry came to me afterward and declared outrightly that he did not agree with my assessment. His disagreement was not accompanied with an explanation – just disagreement. Later, however, he requested specific directions to our scheduled restaurant destination, since he preferred to go on ahead. Without realizing it, he just revealed his leadership style.
Ru 1:16 But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God.
Ps 63:8 My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.