Walk This Way
The topic all over the nation is snow. All up and down the western coast to points much further east, the last 2 or 3 weeks has definitely been winter.
About 6 months ago, maybe more, I read the Farmer’s Almanac prediction for this winter. Did you know The Old Farmer’s Almanac has been predicting weather since 1792. (For a time-line reference, that was during the presidency of one Mr. George Washington. In fact, George Washington had unanimously won a second term as president of the United States and was sworn in for his second term in the year 1792.)
This publication has been around a very long time and, traditionally they are about 80% accurate. Sorry to say, they missed the mark on this one, at least on the west coast. I think I read “mild and dry” for much of southern Oregon and Northern California.
Ummmm. Not right now anyway.
The Midwest and East Coast were described as “shivery and snowy.” Got that right. And on the West Coast, we are seeing record-breaking snow fall, and on the Oregon coast too of all things.
After one of those earlier snowfalls a couple of weeks ago it started to melt and then as nightfall approached and the temps dropped, the crust of the snow began to freeze.
I noticed rather quickly on my way to the trash can the next morning, that I could not step in an existing foot print. It was slicker that the snow that had not been walked in. Walking in my own footsteps would have more than likely caused me to slip and fall. I needed snow that had not been walked on.
Walking in the footsteps of Jesus, quite a different story altogether.
Psalm 128:1 tells us that, “Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways.”
Footsteps.
I’ve mentioned it before, but I lived in Alaska for a short while as a child. Of course, there is snow. I also spent much of my childhood in Grants Pass, where there also can be snow. I have faint memories of being told to walk in my daddy’s footsteps in the snow. There was an assurance of safety if I stepped in the tracks he was making.
That’s exactly what Jesus does. He says follow in my footsteps and you will be safe.
“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:” 1 Peter 2:21 NKJV
Walking the footprints of Jesus is an honor. Colossians 1:10 tells us to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects.
Our footsteps matter. Where we place our feet, the direct of our feet, all matter very much.
Humans typically don’t like to be told what to do. But there is a promise with His command. “…And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’” Jeremiah 7:23 NKJV
God wants it to be well with us. He wants us healthy, and joy filled. He wants us to walk in love.
My Bible, like many Bibles, puts titles at the beginning of paragraphs. Just a line that clearly describes the topic you are about to read.
When I turn to Ephesians, I see the word “walk” a lot!
Chapter 4: Walk in Unity
“I…beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love…” Ephesians 4:1-3 NKJV
Chapter 5: Walk in Love
Walk in Light
Walk in Wisdom
“And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us…” Ephesians 5:2 NKJV
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” Ephesians 5:8 NKJV
“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:16-16 NKJV
There we have them: our marching orders, or “walking orders” as it were.
In one of my guestrooms, I have an old, framed picture that used to hang on one of my grandma’s walls. It’s a beach scene with 3 or 4 paragraphs simply titled, “Footprints.”
I still remember the first time I read this. It was one of those moments where you think, “oh! Wow! Yes, of course! Thank you, Jesus!!”
I’m sure you have read it:
“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 m any times along the path of this 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 precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”
When those times come that you can’t walk on your own, and they will come, remember that Jesus does not expect you to be superwoman, or superman. He’s got this. Let Him carry you through the rough times.
And above all, remember this: “…that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6
by Jeanette Stark – Monday, March 6, 2023