The ubiquitous poem "Footprints in the Sand" has apparently undergone an update. I just received the following forwarded email: (my comments on this follow)
FOOTPRINTS...A New VersionNot sure what exactly to make of this. If I, as a Lutheran, were to re-write the story, I would simply describe Christ carrying us all the way. Only one set of prints. Thoughts?
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 is back. This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Gashes in the sand. A variable 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 , following 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 didn't know? It was then that 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.
4 comments:
Your post reminded me of this.
Orycteropus +
I think I prefer the old one more.
However, I did like the section where JCs and the author's footsteps are together, as it displays some of the more gnostic concepts that it appears (to me, I realize not to most. Not trying to debate, just expressing a tohught) Jesus had been trying to convey to others during the latter part of his life.
How about:
"So, Lord, was there a regression or something? The footprints separated, and this time it was worse than at first."
Exactly. That was where you noticed you were doing well, and it went to your head.
"If anyone thinks he stands, let him take heed, lest he fall."
As far as I'm concerned, there is NEVER one set of footprints. I have a real problem with the idea of Christ coming in to fix all the bad stuff. Luther's Theology of the Cross would suggest that there are always two sets of foot prints, even when we only see our own...
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