Footsteps of Jesus

My family in particular, knows that I tend to constantly have a song running through my head, and often times I'll start singing it loudly... Lately, God's been putting a lot of hymns in my head, and tonight, Footsteps of Jesus was my song. The funny thing about it is... when I get these songs in my head, I usually only know one or two verses... and I always end up being blessed by the new words that I read.

Footprints of Jesus

By: Mary B. Slade (published 1871)

Sweetly, Lord, have we heard Thee calling,

Come, follow Me!

And we see where Thy footprints falling

Lead us to Thee.

Refrain: Footprints of Jesus,

That make the pathway glow,

We will follow the steps of Jesus

Where’er they go.

Though they lead o’er the cold, dark mountains,

Seeking His sheep;

Or along by Siloam’s fountains,

Helping the weak.

If they lead through the temple holy,

Preaching the Word;

Or in homes of the poor and lowly,

Serving the Lord.

Though, dear Lord, in Thy pathway keeping,

We follow Thee;

Through the gloom of that place of weeping,

Gethsemane!

If Thy way and its sorrows bearing,

We go again,

Up the slope of the hillside,

bearing Our cross of pain.

By and by, through the shining portals,

Turning our feet,

We shall walk, with the glad immortals, (KC's note: I'm excited about this one especially!!)

Heav’n’s golden street.

Then, at last, when on high He sees us,

Our journey done,

We will rest where the steps of Jesus

End at His throne.

When I first visualize this song... I think about that investment/financial commercial where the people follow the green line to stay on track, but the more I think about it... this song isn't about the path or following, but about the Journey. Just read through the words... As you follow those footsteps of Jesus, you will reach out to others, help others, learn, and serve. But following Jesus' footsteps does not guarantee a lack of heartache and sadness...

If Thy way and its sorrows bearing,

We go again,

Up the slope of the hillside,

bearing Our cross of pain.

I think this is important to note and remember... because many times when we things happen and we are upset, sad, or bad things happen... we may think we are out of the will of God, but I don't think that's the case at all. In fact, God's hit me in the face with those lessons and I've learned it.

I want to share something that occurred to me in the last few weeks. As I mentioned in a previous blog, I have been blessed with the opportunity to lead a group of students to Guatemala in January. For weeks, only one application had come in and then the deadline came and went. I became discouraged by the lack of enthusiasm for this great opportunity, and just began to pray about it more and more. I was meeting with Renee (University Ministries staff) last week to discuss the lack of applications, and I told her that I recognized that God's plan might be for us to NOT go, and I was going to have to be satisfied in that. After I came to this realization, and had a peace about it... it's was like God opened the flood gates of interest for the trip and said, "Alright Kace, here you go!" I have just been amazed by the interest of the students this week. Several other students have already applied, and I have emailed/ met with at least 15 other students are interested in going! As always, God is blowing my mind with his faithfulness... when I got the the point that I recognized that it was all up to Him.... and that He might say "no"... it seems as if things have turned around. However, I still believe... whatever that will happen with this trip is all His will... and I wouldn't want to have it any other way.

I pray that we will all look for His footsteps as we travel our Journey to love, help, and serve. Also, I ask that you continue to pray for this trip to Guatemala, for the students who are interested, and that if it all works out - that I'll be the leader He needs me to be for these students.