Footsteps in the Sand

Footsteps 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 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 of 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."
Author unknown

This poem is very well known. The first time I read it, it struck me. Its quite powerful! However, I was thinking about it for awhile and I believe there is something left out of this story. The man missed a crucial part of the dream that the LORD never revealed. I closed my eyes and put myself in this man's dream. Think about it, Look at those footsteps again. When I picture this whole scene, I notice that these footsteps are burried DEEP into the sand by the weight and burden my God has to carry. Deep holes that Jesus has to struggle to pull his feet out and on to the next step. I really thought about all the trouble I force on my God. The storms that I create for myself and the hardships and weight my God has to carry me through. Look at the day Jesus died! My King, I cannot imagine the weight you had to carry for me that day! And look at the man's response once the trials were over, He completely overlooked the work the LORD faced through that time. Instead, he was mad at God! How often am I blinded by my own ignorance to the trouble I cause on my God? I feel terrible for the saddness I give my King by ignoring his work. Its so easy to have faith when Christ is beside you and in sight. But how about when you take your eyes off of him and look at the storm? Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off your goal. Isn't that true? Believing in God is a cinch when you are looking straight at him. Believing in him when he is behind the scenes fighting for your life is a different story. This gives a whole new meaning to Jesus's words: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29 b) I believe that Jesus is not only talking about our first moment realizing his Diety, but every moment we cannot see Jesus carrying us through our trials. Blessed are you who lighten the load for Jesus my believing in his presence and trusting his strength!