Imagine you and the Lord Jesus walking down the toad 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; safely you and Jesus are becoming one. This goes on for many miles but gradually you notice another change. The footprints inside the larger 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 are back. This time it's even worse! Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Deep gashes in the sand. A veritable mess of prints. You are amazed and shocked. Your dream ends.
Now you pray: "Lord, I understand the first scene with the 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; I followed you very closely."
"Very good. You have understood everything so far."
" . . . and when the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I suppose that 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:
