Footprints in the sand

Sometimes it feels like you are walking ,alone and there’s only one set of footprints in the sand. That God, family and friends abandoned you and you’re facing life’s hardships alone.

There is a beautiful story of an ant that rode along on the ear of a big elephant. At some point, the elephant had to cross a, river but the current was too strong. The only way to cross the river safely is to walk across the rickety hang bridge. One step at a time, while the bridge is swinging side to side, the elephant slowly walks over the bridge that can barely support the heavy weight. Finally, the elephant and the little ant arrive safely on the other side of the bridge, when the little ant says: “My o my, that bridge made us both shake.”

Although the little ant didn’t work terribly hard to cross the bridge, it was the two of them who crossed the bridge together.

O do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand… For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

Isaiah 41:10,13

It is the same with us when we embark on the journey with Jesus. He is our guide and strength as we walk the path with him. It sometimes feels as if we are walking the road alone and facing the harsh realities on our own, but when you pause before the Lord and call on Jesus’ name, you realise how He is with you all the time and that He is still fighting on your behalf.

It also reminds me of the famous ‘Footprints in the sand’ poem by Margaret Fishback Powers, where sometimes there were two sets of footprints in the sand, but other times only one row of tracks show in the sand. Then there is a realisation that it is precisely through those one-row-in-the-sand-moments that the Lord has carried you through.

Footprints in the sand poem

One night I dreamed a dream.
I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord.

When the last scene of my life shot before me I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
There was only one set of footprints.
I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life.
This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma.
“Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way.
But I’m aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints.
I just don’t understand why, when I need You most, You leave me.”

May you, just like the little ant, embark on the journey with the Lord today, and safely cross your rickety hang bridge.

For more inspiration read our daily devotional, The Word for Today or listen to our podcasts on iono.fm.