(Free stock image with listed photo credit. Image description: A lit crosswalk shows a green outline of a person – signalling that it’s safe to “go” and move forward, crossing the street/road.)
Note: In the Gospels, Jesus calls people by name to follow him. He also tells them the cost of doing so. He also says – following him is the only way to life. This offer of life is free to you, today.
Follow
Follow you
No thank you
That’s not my lot
Like you well enough
From time to time
I’ll hang back and see if I like what you say
Not following too early
In fact I’ll waste the years
All of them
On purpose
(Pretending I don’t hear.
Pretending I don’t understand.)
Waiting
Wilfully
Ignoring
Your call
You’re not from here
Why would I follow?
I have things to do
Important things
Following costs too much
Don’t want to risk
Reputation
Or peoples’ talk
Going opposite my friend’s path
Couldn’t be opposed to my spouse
Too costly
You say
Family and spouse
And sisters and brothers
Will be mine
How could they?
Dying to self is too costly
I’d rather
This dead existence
No choice is a choice against you
You say
How could that be?
I cannot afford the the costly life you offer
The payment is me
All I hold dear
—
Come
I paid all
Myself
For you,
Dear One
All poured out
My life for your life
You are not alive apart from me
I call
Again and again
Breath and life and purpose and love
Here alone found in me
Won’t you come?
Wasting human years
When eternity could start now?
Freedom
Freedom could be yours
Oh bound one
Come
Your years here are not forever
Life in you can start – today
Life you were made for!
Now!
Light the Lamp 