Just Follow

“Follow me,” Jesus said, 
and Matthew left his tax booth
and walked with Jesus.
He didn’t know where they were going.

Others were walking, too—
James and John,
Peter and Andrew,
Mary (there must have been a Mary),
and other women, unnamed.
It didn’t matter where they were going.

All along the way, Jesus called out, “Follow me.”
Some left their tasks and joined the walk.
Others turned away in sorrow.

They walked along on dusty roads,
Listening and talking, questioning and learning,
Singing and praying, hearts full of joy and compassion,
Witnessing miracles, changed forever.

Today, Jesus walks along busy streets
and calls to us, “Follow me.”

“Walk with me in the countryside, in the inner city.
Walk with me in places of joy and places of sorrow.
Leave your preconceived notions, your five-year strategies.
Set down your anger and your prejudices,
And see the world as I see it.
It doesn’t matter where we are going,
Just follow me.”

By Beth A. Richardson. From Alive Now, J/F 2016. Copyright © 2015 The Upper Room.