Footprints in the Snow

Yesterday, I was walking in the snow toward a restaurant. As I walked, I looked down and saw my own footprints from the day before. For some reason, I didn’t want to disturb my footprints, so I walked a path next to them. It was like I didn’t want to disturb my legacy from the day before.

Often, we walk in the steps of those we admire. It may be one of our parents, a famous person, or just someone whose life we can relate to. Those who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord want to walk in His footsteps, becoming more like Him every day. We want to live in the legacy of love and sacrifice that He laid before us.

Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Children naturally imitate their parents in many ways. Therefore, as children of God we ought to imitate our Heavenly Father, especially in love for Him and for others.

Mercy and Humility

God enjoys teaching us the simple and basic things. For instance, we are told to forgive others and we are given the example of how He has forgiven us through Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:13). So we should forgive every time and without holding back. We should include ourselves in this forgiveness. We tend to be the hardest on ourselves when we fail or are weak. We should extend, even to ourselves, the mercy that God gives. Another basic teaching from God is the need for humility. Again, we are given the example of Jesus Christ, who took the form of a servant and humbled Himself to endure death on the cross for our salvation. (Philippians 2:5-11)

Micah 6:8 says, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” I am convinced that two of the most important attributes that God wants His children to demonstrate are mercy and humility. Mercy is the quality to allows us to forgive others and to be patient with ourselves when we are weak or fail. Humility is the attribute that enables us to trust and follow God, even through the difficult times.

Empty Deceit

Have you ever been listening to someone speak and thought to yourself, “That’s not true,” or “He doesn’t know what he is talking about”? Perhaps, at that time, you were listening to a politician, car salesman, social media influencer, or even a friend. In today’s society, it seems that whoever speaks the loudest and with the most self-confidence, is the one who gets heard, even if what they are saying is not true.

Colossians 2:8-10 says, “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. for in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.” Don’t be led astray by those who boldly speak and flaunt their ideas in social media and beyond, because they do not possess real wisdom. Instead, turn your attention to Jesus Christ, who is the head of all rule and authority. He possesses all knowledge and wisdom.

Why Did I Do That?

I have been in the process of doing some small task and realize that I have done something wrong. Then, I know that I will either suffer the consequences or do something to make it right. At other times, I will say something and immediately regret it. Again, I then have to apologize and try to make it right. Why do we make these mistakes and then suffer for them? Frankly, it is because we are sinners by nature and by behavior. In many ways we are only doing what our sin nature requires that we do.

Romans 5:17 says, “For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.” Before believing in Jesus Christ, our sins and weaknesses ruled over us. But when we receive salvation by the free gift of grace, His righteousness is able to rule in us. He makes us new creatures, able to act and react differently by letting His righteousness rule in us.

Everything I Need

When we lived in Nepal, the stores were very small and very specialized. Whenever we went shopping, we would most likely need to go to several stores to get the everyday supplies and groceries that we needed. I remember when I first thought of getting a mobile phone. I wanted to wait until they produced phones that could do everything that I needed. I didn’t want to have to carry a phone, a camera, a walkman, and a game device. I wanted it all in one device.

II Samuel 22:2-3 says, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence.” As our rock, God is strength and security for those who believe. As our shield, God surrounds us with love and protection. As the horn of our salvation, His voice is the powerful announcement of our redemption. As our stronghold and refuge, He is our secure and lofty retreat from our an evil world. As our savior and deliverer, He has freed us from sin’s clutches and given us eternal life. God is everything that we need and He is One, the only God.