Today's devotion reminded me of the famous Christian poem "Footprints in the Sand." To summarize, a person had a dream about their life and saw two sets of footprints in the sand along the beach. One belonged to the person, one belonged to the Lord. The person understood this to mean that God walked beside him/her throughout life. Then the poem continues:
"But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life,
There is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why in times when I
needed you the most, you should leave me.
The Lord replied, "My precious, precious
child. I love you, and I would never,
never leave you during your times of
trial and suffering.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you."
There is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why in times when I
needed you the most, you should leave me.
The Lord replied, "My precious, precious
child. I love you, and I would never,
never leave you during your times of
trial and suffering.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you."
In the parable of the lost sheep, when the sheep is found, the shepherd carries the lost one on his shoulders. There the sheep is safe from all danger. In much the same way, God also carries us when we lose our way and then are found. As the author points out, we are carried on those very shame shoulders that once carried the cross. What a humbling and powerful thought. What love is expressed when Jesus carries us. In whatever challenges you may be faced with at this time, remember that the Lord will carry you through if you give that burden to him and allow him to carry you.
I now have a new appreciation and respect for the shoulders of Christ!
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