Are You Willing to "Break Rank?"

I'm fascinated with all forms of wildlife, and recently I came across a photo of wolves that intrigues me.

In the picture above, the three wolves in the front (in the red circle) are old and sick. They walk in front to set the pace of the running group lest they get left behind.

The next five (in the yellow) are the strongest and best; their task is to protect the front side if there is an attack.

The pack in the middle are always protected from any attack.

The five behind them (in the green box) are also among the strongest and best; they protect the back side if there is an attack.

The last wolf is the leader. He ensures that no one is left behind. He keeps the pack unified and on the same path. He is always ready to run in any direction to protect as needed. He serves as the bodyguard to the entire pack. He stays in the back and only breaks rank in case of a predator's attack.

I'm always amazed and awed by the intricacies of nature and how God has created the world and its inhabitants to survive and thrive.

However, as I studied the procession of the wolves, I found myself wondering if this is similar to the way it is with people. Do human leaders follow the group in the same way?

I thought back to many of the Biblical heroes who had to break ranks to accomplish God's plans.

David broke ranks and took on the monstrously-sized Philistine, Goliath.

Joseph broke ranks from his brothers because he believed something higher and wasn't afraid to talk about it.

Jesus broke ranks. He certainly didn't follow the crowd. He led it.

If you are a follower of Christ, I challenge you, too, to be willing to "break rank." Do life differently, more Christ-like than all those around you. Our society has enough negativity. Negative information is free and easily found in nearly every office lunchroom, every news broadcast, and every social media post.

Frankly a person must have uncommon courage nowadays to break rank. "A leader who is not wiling to break rank is not a leader at all, but merely a puppet set up to maintain the status quo." (Laurie Beth Jones, in Jesus CEO.)

Just do it. Obey Jesus. Move to the front of the pack.

Give the world something worthwhile to follow.