setup: [E-Mail Ministry] A New Version of Footprints

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NEW VERSION OF FOOTPRINTS

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 are back. This time
it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Deep gashes
in the sand. A veritable 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; followed 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 don't
know? That was when 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

-- Author Unknown

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