In the Footsteps of Jesus
One of my favorite poems of all time is one many people are familiar with: Footprints in the Sand. There are at least three versions, but below is my favorite:
One night a man had a dream.
He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand:
one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it.
"Lord, You said that once I decided to follow you,
You'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why, when I needed you most, you would leave me."
The Lord replied,
"My son, My precious child, I love you and I would
never leave you. During your times of trial and
suffering, when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I Carried You."
Carolyn Carty, 1963
I have always felt comfort from the knowledge Jesus is always with me and that in my most difficult times, He carries me safely and lovingly. Recently, I had a new thought and connection to the idea of Jesus and walking with Him.
Jesus is our example, and we ought to do our best to be like Him. John 4:23 says, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks,” and Matthew 18:3 says, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” If we are followers of Christ as we say we are, then how we follow Him is crucial to the validity of our claim. To worship Him in Spirit and in Truth, we must become like little children. Little children who walk in the footsteps of our parents.
I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned this before, but just in case I haven’t, I’m probably the clumsiest person on Earth! If a sharp object is anywhere near where I’m walking, I’ll cut myself on it. If something can be knocked over, I’ll do it. If something is valuable, delicate, or a combination of both, I’ll break it. I even trip over my own feet at least once a day.
Recently in my women's Bible study, we were discussing Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman at the well and being ready when God gives us opportunities to serve Him, and I visualized walking in Jesus’ footsteps. I mean literally walking in His footsteps. Because I’m so clumsy, and my husband knows me so well, if he needs me to walk with him in an area that is dangerous to me, he’ll tell me to follow him and step EXACTLY where he steps. I’ll walk behind him, looking down and focusing on placing my feet EXACTLY where his just were.
I saw the same image when I thought about walking in the footsteps of Jesus.
Let us put our heads down and FOCUS on placing our feet EXACTLY where Jesus’ just were. This is us praying, reading, and actually studying the Bible (this includes Bible commentaries, geography, cultural implications, time explorations, etc.), being with fellow believers and worshipers in fellowship, and anything else the Holy Spirit leads you to that fills up your toolbox for when God sends an opportunity your way.
Imagine you’re “walking along” as I’ve just described, and suddenly someone is there asking you for directions. You stop, look up, and smile. You’re happy to help, and give them the best directions you can (some people, like my mom, are human compasses, so North, South, East, or West work just fine; and some people, like me, need left/right and landmark directions both for where to turn and when to know you’ve gone too far), and then send them on their way with a salutation like, “Have a nice day!”
This analogy connects with ONE way we can be ambassadors for Christ. Not all of us are meant to be missionaries or preach the gospel to strangers or a congregation, or be Sunday School teachers. Not all of us are called to directly speak the word of God, and empty platitudes (if that’s what these are to you) like “God bless you” or “I’m praying for you” have no elements of Spirit or Truth (for more on Spiritual Gifts, see 1 Corinthians 12). Some of us are called simply to LIVE the Word. To show the world, through our actions, what God has done for us, what God’s love truly means, and how to follow in the footsteps of the one who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
As we celebrate Easter this year and reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus and His resurrection, let us also affirm our commitment to walk in His footsteps. Focus on stepping in the prints Jesus has left especially for you, and be ready when he sends people and opportunities your way. Don’t be afraid it will be hard because you know that when that happens, all you need to do is let Him carry you.
AMEN
