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| Footprints in the Sand In 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, 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. Gashes in the sand. A variable 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, following
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? It was then that 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.
