Day 3: Not Following the Herd

Scripture: Joshua 24:15 - "Or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living..."

Cowboy Wisdom: Cattle are herd animals - they'll follow whoever's in front of them, even if it's over a cliff. A good cowboy knows that just because all the cattle are heading in one direction don't make it the right direction. Sometimes you've got to ride against the flow to get the herd where it needs to go.

Too many fathers today are just following the herd. They see other dads chasing money, pleasure, sports, or success, and they figure that must be the right trail. They serve the modern gods of materialism, entertainment, and self-gratification because that's what all the other cowboys are doing. But following the crowd usually leads to a dead-end canyon.

Joshua looked around at all the Amorites serving their false gods, and he had a choice: follow the herd or lead his family on a different path. A real cowboy don't let the herd tell him which way to ride - he makes decisions based on what's right, not what's popular.

Questions for Reflection:

1. In what areas of your life are you just "following the herd" instead of leading?
2. What modern "gods" (money, success, pleasure, etc.) are competing for your family's devotion?
3. How can you lead your family against the cultural current toward God's ways?

​Prayer Focus: Lord, give me the courage to not just follow the crowd. Help me resist the pressure to chase after the same things everyone else is chasing. When the world is heading in the wrong direction, give me the strength to lead my family toward You, even if we're riding alone. Help me value Your approval more than the approval of other men. Amen.