It was time to take the trash out yet again, as it happens to be frequently, even though I like to squeeze as much as possible into the bag. This occasion was even worse, though, as a winter cold spell brought frigid temperatures to the area. Bundling up to make the trek through the backyard and stepping outside, I was immediately greeted with roughly ten inches of snow lying on the ground. I thought this was just another aspect to deal with, causing wet shoes and socks after walking through the yard to take the trash out. However, looking ahead, I saw there were footsteps in the snow, forging a pathway straight to the ultimate destination: the trash bin! This was such a welcoming and helpful sight, as the only thing I needed to do was to follow in those footsteps that had come before, which would guide and lead me directly there.

Each day, we are bombarded by people and institutions that want to guide or lead us, and we are asked to follow them. We hear repeated calls to hit the like and subscribe button, listen to that podcast, watch that show, read that blog, and a myriad more actions. No matter how helpful these may or may not be, there is a single individual who calls us to follow him. This is the first-century teacher named Jesus of Nazareth. About 20 times in the New Testament gospel accounts, Jesus asks or tells people to follow him: four local fishermen (Matthew 4:18-22), a person literally walking with Jesus on a road (Luke 9:59), and a wealthy young religious man (Mark 10:19-22), along with many others. Jesus’ call to follow is not arbitrary, such as when it is needed or convenient for a person, but rather it is an action of consistently following his ways and teachings. This is not the ask of a simple influencer for followers and likes, but rather the call of the Savior. It is an ask to follow his example and emulate what he says and to mirror his actions to everyone in the world. This includes the call to deny oneself, take up one’s cross, and follow him (Matthew 16:24). It is allowing Jesus to lead and guide us, as we allow him to be the overarching influencer in our lives.

It might be asked, how do we practically know if we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, if we are indeed following him? Jesus quite efficiently and succinctly reveals what it looks like in its most basic form to follow him: it is to love God with all we are and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39, Mark 12:30-31). At times, this requires us not to forge a new path in our own footsteps or follow in the footsteps of another person or institution, but instead to love God and others. Regardless of this challenge and possible difficulty, Jesus has gone before us and is ready for us to walk in his footsteps. It is in coming to Jesus and following him that he offers us rest and even the rest of our souls (Matthew 11:28-30). So, let us step in the footsteps of Jesus one by one as we walk through our lives, just as I did on a frigidly cold day, walking in the snow through the backyard, but in the footsteps of one who came before.

Rev. Dr. Luke E. Shover, ABWE Prefield Missionary to South Africa. 1010 Elmira St., Williamsport