Two years ago, I decided to be the “cool aunt” and take my then 11-year-old nephew on his first big camping trip. Rounding out this trip was my mom and while my nephew was fairly dubious at first, I like to think that by the end of the he had had some fun and made some memories. One of my memories from that trip has come up a few times in the past months. We spent the day in Sioux Falls. It was still early in our tip and I wanted to climb out over the falls and take some pictures. My nephew, however, was unsure because he’d never done anything like that before. So, while Mom stood off to the edge to take our picture I led him step by step over the rocks. I was careful the whole time to make sure the steps I was taking were small enough for him to follow, but not so small that he wouldn’t be challenged occasionally. I know he enjoyed this morning because after this trek, there wasn’t a rocky or hilly area that we could keep him out of for the rest of the trip! But what sticks with me is the memory of deliberately measuring the steps I knew he would be taking too.
I was reminded of this last month, when in a village in India, a little girl slid her hand into mine and led me through the puddle-filled streets. She carefully picked out each step. She made sure I could follow and stay out of the wet and the mud. She led me so that I didn’t have to worry about accidentally finding slippery areas. And she deliberately chose the route because she knew the streets. Her careful planning of the path we would take reminded me of once doing the same thing.
Today, I was reminded of it as well. Our translator, Geewan, was leading out of the largest slum in Kathmandu after we had served breakfast to over 300 kids. He carefully made and planned each step through the muddy, puddle-filled streets knowing that we were right behind him (to paint the picture, “street” is a kind term…it was mostly mud and puddles with some rocks or bricks strewn throughout). At times, he would turn around and make sure we made it over the path he had chosen. He knew where he was going, but wanted us to be able to get there as well, so his path was a deliberately chosen one. And again, I was reminded of a time I had done something similar.
Then, a fragment of a verse started flitting through my head. And I say it like that because I had to look it up before I could figure it out.
“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you shall follow in his steps.” -1 Peter 2:21
Talk about being knocked off my feet. “That you shall follow in his steps.” This trip is all about following Jesus and sharing who he is. It is all about following in his steps. Don’t get me wrong; I knew that, but sometimes we all need to be reminded. Just like in the examples above, Christ has measured each step He wants us to take and planned each one carefully so that we may have the experience he wants but stay safe doing it. He deliberately chose the path we are on. When I started this path, I will admit to being unsure. There were obstacles in the way and I didn’t know how they would be passed or if I could. There were a lot of unknowns. And none of that has really changed except I am not longer unsure. There are still obstacles. There is still a lot I don’t know. However, the one choosing the path and measuring each step will not lead me to stumble. I am sure of His path.
I ask you to look at the path you are on. Are you sure of the one picking your next step?
Until next time.
