As We Walk with God

It isn't necessary to judge the behavior
of others, as good or bad,
Or as ethical or unethical;
Or to say or hold in thought
"I’m right; you’re wrong."
The kindness or unkindness of others,
their inclusion of us, or their exclusion;
their doing, as we’d like for them to do,
or their not doing as we’d like;
None of those acts has a bearing on
the paths we have chosen to follow.

The important measure is one
we ask only of ourselves:
"How close am I in following Jesus,
the spiritual Idea of Good?
There is no top to the "climb,"
There is no "pinnacle" to reach.
We are asked only to follow Jesus and to
live among others as he lived.
***
Does Jesus go Ahead?

In our desire to be with Jesus,
we wonder about others.
We note that some seem to
lag behind.
Turning back, we wonder, "Has
our Leader gone ahead?
Will we have to catch up?"
Then we notice Jesus
standing close by.
He waits for every one of us.

marylee manson armour, May 5, 2003