by David Brenneman
"One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with
the Lord. Scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In
each, I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were
two sets of footprints; other times there was only one.
During the low periods of my life I could see only one set of
footprints, so I said, "You promised me, Lord, that you would
walk with me always. Why, when I have needed you most,
have you not been there for me?"
The Lord replied, "The times when you have seen only one set
of footprints, my child, is when I carried you."" - Footprints Mary Stevenson Copyright (C) 1984.
This has been a very powerful poem to a great many people.
There's been days where I sit and take a moment to reflect on the year and indeed follow the premise of this poem. Noticing, in light of Psalms 23, where my Savior has lead me.
We really aren't living in a society anymore where people slow down to reflect much anymore. Even our roadways are being designed to keep people moving. Our streaming services, television shows, sports, news outlets all design their content to keep people from taking a break to reflect. They want to be the ones to shape our thinking to be what they want it to be.
There's really quite a battle for what you think, how you think, and everything that goes with it.
Satan's schemes are wrapped up, intertwined, into all of that.
Getting words redefined so that they're less obtrusive, less offensive, more inclusive and in the end those in Christ will be suffering for it. Which is his endgame.
How well do you guard your thoughts? How often do you reflect on what all the Lord has done in your life? How well do you recognize the schemes of the devil and furthermore how often are you calling on the Lord to help you navigate these?
We aren't to be engaging the enemy of God on our own. Plenty of examples in the Old Testament prove the folly of such things.
Do you ever contemplate your faith history in Christ?
Do you really stop to consider all the marvelous benefits afforded to you in your relationship with Jesus?
Have you checked your heart for areas where you have become insensitive to the dangers in your life?
When we aren't reflecting at all on where we are and where we have been we aren't going to notice all the small things adding up to being diverted from the righteous life that God desires for us.
Scripture says "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2.
Are you dedicating time with Jesus as well as you do the other things that you include in your life?
If you aren't feeding on the righteousness of God how do you intend to be fed spiritual things?
If you're excusing your behavior on behalf of what supposedly makes you happy and in turn are oblivious to how you have tarnished the Name of Jesus...you have a problem.
Reflect on your life in Christ.
End the excuses for your departure from the righteousness life that God desires for you.
Turn back to walking with Jesus as you're supposed to be doing.
Note the great things that He has done in your life.
Check your thoughts and intentions to be sure you're not harming the great Name of Jesus Christ.
Our choices now will directly impact our feelings when we stand before Jesus to give an account of our lives before Him.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.
A corporation not for profit.
La Habra, CA All rights reserved
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