I am not a fan of the “Footprints in the Sand” poem because I believe it misses the very foundation of the Christian life – that we always need Jesus to carry us. There is never a moment when we are sufficient and adequate on our own, but rather we are always in need of God’s mercy, grace, and help.
During our vacation last week, we did a lot of swimming and hiking. Vacationing actively outdoors is my favorite way to vacation, as physical activity is something I enjoy and something that recharges me, especially because my job as a pastor requires very little physical activity. Thus, a physical vacation is a real vacation.
One of our hikes in the Smoky Mountains is the type of hike I would typically love. It was up and down mountainous terrain, and our destination was a waterfall. Perfect, right? I thought so, until we did the hike with 27 people, 17 of whom were my five kids and 12 of their cousins. There were no bathrooms, no drinking spots, and we decided to hike hard with no breaks. And, it took us all afternoon. Again, this would not normally be an issue, but when I failed to be prepared with drinking water (huge mistake) and realized that much hiking for our 5-year-old son, Micah, was quite ambitious, my enjoyment of the hike quickly diminished.
LESSONS LEARNED
Well, I definitely learned my lessons. When you hike with small children, take some breaks and make it fun. When you hike on a hot summer day, bring water – plenty of water; drinking fountains do not exist in national parks.
While we might not look back on that hike with fond memories, I am reminded of an important lesson that applies to all of us spiritually. You and I are never strong enough to do anything on our own.
Micah really was a trooper on that hike and even finished the last 60+ minutes of the hike walking. Before that, though, he rode on my shoulders a lot. He rode on Marsha’s back a lot. He did not have the strength or long legs to keep up with us, and so the “Footprints in the Sand” poem applied well to his situation. Sometimes he could do it; sometimes he needed help. When he needed help, we carried him. And, he finished strong.
The Christian life is so much more than a hike in a national park, though. Every single one of us is so much weaker because of our sin than a 5-year-old is because of his lack of physical maturity. We need Jesus, and we need Him constantly.
Like Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me” (John 15:5).
HUMBLY RESCUED
On Sunday morning, Lord willing, I will be continuing our sermon series through the Old Testament book of Micah – Walk Humbly. Going through chapter 5, I hope to help my hearers “Realize the Rescue from God’s Judgment.” Our sin, without exception, makes us deserving of God’s eternal judgment, just like the nation Israel was continuously deserving of God’s judgment in the prophet Micah’s time (and before and after). Yet, if we humbly turn to the Lord – the only One who can rescue us from our deserved judgment – then we receive life in His name.
Jesus came to this earth to rescue us from sin and death – the eternal death we all deserve. Yet, He not only rescues all who call upon His name from the eternal death to come; He transforms our lives now. He carries us now. We need Him today, and we need Him every day.
If ever there is a moment we think we can walk on our own, we will fail. Instead, let us humble ourselves and trust the Lord to carry us. Only He can rescue us, and only He can enable us to live for Him now. Help is always needed, and so we need Him to carry us, and we need one another to grow as He intends. Turn to Jesus. Serve His church. Walk humbly (or rather, be carried humbly).
Jesus does not only carry us some of the time but rather all of the time. Are you trusting Him to do so?
DrakeCity 