Footprints (2)

Footprints In The Sand

(new version)

Imagine you and the Lord Jesus are
walking down the road together.
For much of the way,
the Lord's footprints go along steadily,
consistently, rarely varying the pace.
But your footprints are a disorganized
stream of zigzags, starts, stops,
turnarounds, circles, departures
and returns.

For much of the way, it seems to go like this,
but gradually your footprints come more in
line with the Lord's, soon paralleling
His consistently.
You and Jesus are walking as true friends!

This seems perfect, but then an interesting
thing happens:
Your footprints, that once etched the sand
next to Jesus', are now walking precisely
in His steps. Inside His larger footprints
are your smaller ones, safely you and Jesus
are becoming one.

This goes on for many miles, but gradually
you notice another change.
The footprints inside the large footprints
seem to grow larger.
Eventually they disappear altogether.
There is only one set of footprints;
they have become one.

This goes on for a long time, but suddenly
the second set of footprints is back.
This time it seems even worse!
Zigzags all over the place.
Stops. Starts. Deep gashes in the sand.
A veritable mess of prints.
You are amazed and shocked.
Your dream ends.

Now you pray:
"Lord, I understand the first scene
with zigzags and fits.
I was a new Christian; I was just learning.
But you walked on through the storm
and helped me learn to walk with you."

"That is correct." "

... and when the smaller footprints
were inside of Yours,
I was actually learning to walk in
Your steps; followed you very closely."

"Very good. You have understood
everything so far."

"... when the smaller footprints grew
and filled in Yours, I suppose that I was
becoming like you in every way."

"Precisely."

"So, Lord, was there a regression or
something?
The footprints separated, and this time
it was worse than at first."

There is a pause as the Lord answers
with a smile in his voice.

"You didn't know?
That was when we danced."
_________________

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to weep, a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance.
(Ecclesiastes 3:1,4)

Footprints (1)

Footprints in the Sand

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 belonged 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'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 precious, precious child, I love you and 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."

Go...

"I have chosen you to go and bear fruit that will last, that the Father will give you whatever you ask for using my name." (John 15:16)

Celebrate Freedom Concert 2004

I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. (Psalm 63:4)
Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;
Let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song. (Psalm 95:1-2)