A Variation of Footprints

"Now imagine you and the Lord Jesus walking down the road together. For much of
the way, the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the
pace. But your prints 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 the Master's are now walking precisely in His steps. Inside
His larger footprints is the small 'sandprint', safely enclosed. You and Jesus are
becoming one.

This goes on for many miles. But gradually you notice another change. The footprint
inside the larger footprint seems to grow larger. Eventually it disappears altogether.
There is only one set of footprints. They have become one. Again, this goes on for a
long time. But then something awful happens. The second set of footprints is back.
And this time it seems worse. Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Deep gashes
in the sand. A veritable mess of prints.

You're amazed and shocked. But this is the end of your dream. Now you speak.
'Lord, I understand the first scene with the zigzags and fits and starts and so on. I
was a new Christian, just learning. But You walked on through the storm and helped
me learn to walk with you.'

'That is correct.'

'Yes, and when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to
walk in Your steps. I followed You very closely.' 'Very good. You have understood
everything so far.'

'Then the smaller footprints grew and eventually filled in with Yours. I suppose that I
was actually growing so much that I was becoming like you in every way.'

'Precisely.'

'But this is my question. Lord.. Was there a regression or something? The footprints
went back to two, and this time it was worse than the first.'

The Lord smiles, then laughs. 'You didn't know?' He says. 'That was when we
danced'."

- Author Unknown

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