Footprints and Relationships

 Many of us are familiar with the poem, "Footprints in the Sand." Within the poem a man is walking along and starts to question God about the time when suddenly there were only one set of footprints. Thinking that God had left him all alone. But God replies, "When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

This is one of my favorite poems and reminders that even in our deepest, darkest times; God is right there. If you have read any of my early blogs you know that I often refer to the song, "By Your Side" by Tenth Avenue North. Very similar concept throughout the song and especially the chorus:

'Cause I'll be by your side wherever you fall

In the dead of night whenever you call

And please don't fight these hands that are holding you

My hands are holding you

I continue to cling to these words, these reminders. 

But today I have a new story for you. A new reminder....okay, maybe the reminder itself isn't so new. 

As I was walking/running the beach Monday morning, listening to Casting Crowns and a few other Christian artists, I kept up a constant conversation with God. Sometimes with me talking, others times in silence as I listened patiently or listened to God speaking. After reaching my half way point, I began running back in the direction from which I came from. There were more footprints by this point, a few more walkers and runners, some fishermen and women. 

After about 1/4 mile, I started noticing my original footprints. That gave me some comfort...you know a trail I had left knowing that I was returning the same way and I would find my entry point onto the beach. Of course I was fairly certain I came in at entry point 29. 

Going a little further, I started noticing footprints next to my tennis shoes prints...only the footprints were headed the opposite direction. I didn't think too much of it other than a passing moment of remembering the "Footprints in the Sand" poem. I thought briefly of taking a photo, but didn't want to turn off  the music or slow my pace. So I kept going. 

It wasn't long before I heard God whisper, "Brandi, you have to stop and take that picture...there's a lesson here. A story you need to share." 

So in true Brandi fashion I replied, "I'll think about it." So I started looking for that pattern again...only I didn't find it. So I was like, great, now I have to backtrack. I just want to get back to the house and change. I'm hot and sweaty and I've already been out for longer than I planned. 

So God shared with me the lesson and told me I could recreate and just explain. No need to turn back. So I did...(only I made my tennis shoe print go in the same direction as the footprint).

My friends, you see, God is there to carry us and help us through the hard times, but He desires so much more from us. He desires a relationship. Not some casual passing by relationship, but a deep meaningful relationship. We so often read the "Footprints in the Sand" poem and only focus on the frustration of the writer at seeing only one set of footprints and then the reminder from God that He was carrying the writer through the hard times. We tend to overlook the most important part....the time when there were TWO sets of footprints: the man's and God's. 

But wait there's more. You see there aren't two sets of footprints in my photo. You see, God wants to be such a part of our lives, in such a deep relationship with us, that He is part of us. Not just beside us, before us, in front of us....He wants us to be abide in Him and He in us. 

Let us pray...God, I pray that for each and everyone of us that we take the time to realize and work on our relationship with you. I pray for each of our hearts to be turned to you. For each of us to dwell in your word and to go where you are leading us. I pray for us to walk so closely with you that instead of two sets of footprints, we see a mingled combination of both our footprints. Merging so closely together that we can hardly distinguish one from the other. Reminding us the whole time that on our own there is impossible, but with You...all things are possible. In your Son's holy and precious name, Amen

Scripture to turn to:

I encourage you to not just read the verses, but to look them up, read what comes before and after. Get the full context. DWELL in His word. 

John 15:4-9

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 

Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Colossians 2:6

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,

1 John 2:28Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.
1 John 2:6the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.