1 Samuel 14:36,40
“And they said, ‘Do whatever seems good to you’…And the people said to Saul, ‘Do what seems good to you.’”

Being a follower isn’t easy, especially if you are unsure how your leader will respond to issues. Many followers are nonchalant with their leaders or simply tell their leaders what they think the leaders want to hear. They are unwilling to take risks. They are uninvolved.

But anywhere God has placed you as a follower, you need to be committed to that situation and be willing to take risks. You need to be willing to share your heart and your opinion within the context and opportunities given to you. It is wrong to be part of a community and not share your thoughts on issues that matter. Most followers prefer to operate in silent mode.

But silent mode destroys. No leader sees and knows it all, although most leaders think they do. Silent mode means that you have strategic input to give, but you intentionally choose not to, for reasons best known to you. Sadly, because of past experiences, most followers do not fully invest in the communities where they live and work. This is not correct.

However, a lot depends on leaders to create an enabling environment that permits people around them to share their minds. If followers know that they can speak freely without negative repercussions, they will. As a leader, create a healthy environment that promotes engagement and involvement, whether it be in marriage, the family, the school, or at work.

For example, many spouses cannot share their thoughts without fear of repercussions or rejection. Also, many children hide their experiences from their parents because they know there will be backlash. Usually, people won’t feel safe unless they are made to feel safe. As leaders or team members, whether at home or at work, it is our duty to make people feel safe because only then will we gain from their insights, perspectives, and involvement.

In today’s verse, the people seemed very nonchalant with Saul and kept saying to him, “Do whatever seems best to you.” But when they saw that Saul was going to kill Jonathan, the hero of the day, they suddenly realized that silent mode wasn’t the correct way to operate. And they spoke up in Jonathan’s defense. Imagine what would have happened if they kept silent?

Nonchalance is not God’s will. Yes, there are times we need to be quiet, and there is wisdom in that. But let’s not keep silent all the time because God wants you engaged in your environment.