footprints.

in church this morning, pastor peter talked about this "footprints in the sand" poem in a new way.  i always thought it was a pretty clever illustration and mildly comforting (i'm always skeptical of cheesy cliche christian things).

this morning, though, peter pointed out that there is never ever a time when we are walking side by side with Christ, two sets of footprints.  he is ALWAYS carrying us.  we are not capable of walking this life on our own, because each and every step requires a measure of grace.  we have never ever been able to take a step on our own.  and this is the heart of the gospel... that we don't have to!  we don't ever even have to try to crawl, because Jesus carries us every single step of the way.

how often do i fight him?  me, flopped over his shoulder, fighting to get down, yet he never lets me go, because if i were to fall, i would never be able to get up again until he picks me up.

so often i look at my own strengths, my own actions and accomplishments and think of it as "Jesus, thank you for walking beside me in this" - when really i should be saying "Jesus, there is no way i could have done any of this, or even gotten this far, without you carrying me.  thank you."

let Jesus carry you, because you can't do anything on your own.

one set of footprints in the sand.

saved by grace.  living by grace.

-e