Following God's Paths and Creating Footprints

 I always prefer to follow a path, than to strike out across an open space.  I like my walk to be easy so I can enjoy seeing the dog run and play without fear of falling.  I love to follow where others have walked and to be secure in knowing that I am not trespassing.   As I put one foot in front of the other, I can gaze at the sunlight dappling through the trees and the green of the fields rolling away to my side.  

It's a strange thing that our lives are so full of paths, those that are visible like the life choices we make, and those that are invisible. Unlike the paths on a country walk, God's paths are often hard to discern and Jesus told us specifically that it is a narrow path that leads to eternal life.  Walking God's paths is very different from following a Sat Nav telling you step by step what direction to take.  How much we long for that at times!  I am in a season at present of great uncertainty.  I am not even totally sure of where I want my path to lead to, apart from deeper into God's heart.  But I've found myself reflecting a lot on Psalm 16:11 (TPT)  'Because of you, I know the path of life as I taste the fullness of joy in your presence.  At your right hand I experience divine pleasures forevermore.'

God's path for each of us is different and yet will always lead to His heart.  If I long to know Him more and to be one who loves to sit with Him as a friend, then that is my rightful destination whatever outward decisions that may involve.  In real walking I love to take someone's arm as I walk unsteadily and cannot always see well, and it is a marvellous thing that this verse shows that God is always at our side and wants us to know the deepest joy in walking together with Him.  I can take His arm and trust Him to find the best way forward for my life.  Although the path to eternal life may be narrow, He is walking it with me and earlier in this Psalm it says 'The way you counsel me makes me praise you more, for your whispers in the night give me wisdom, showing me what to do next.'  (7)

Hearing His whisper is a beautiful thing, humanly I cannot hear what people say or shout, let alone a whisper, but God's whisper's are in our heart and never depend on what we can physically hear.  I never forget once when He whispered to me that He wanted me to be a footprint.  I thought, what does that mean?  And He said  'Through who you are and through what I call you to do, you become a footprint that others can place their own feet in and find the path to my love.'  Wow!  What a beautiful yet challenging whisper from God!  I who love to follow, He will use to create a path for others.  He is urging me and I believe all of us, to be true to who He has made me to be.  Of course some of us are, in our personalities more of a follower and some are more of a leader, but we are all called to create a footprint of authenticity in what it means to be ourselves and to love God and know His love.  My writing is part of what God has made me to be and its easy for me to just try to follow the paths others have set with their writing.  To follow the 'rules' and turn at the established signposts.  That may be the right way, but also, it may not be, but as I spend time listening to His heart he will open up the 'Tracy' path for me.  I know my writing must reflect that and its twists and turns may be different to everyone else.  But as I follow His heart, my writing, as much as me as a whole person, will be creating that beautiful footprint that points people to Him.  

I feel God is saying this is to be my last post at present for MTW and it's time to step aside so others can share their beautiful blogs.  I am full of joy at the inspiration I've received and will of course continue to receive through all of you who contribute every day.  I hope and pray mine have been a source of inspiration too over the years, but I believe my path is moving in a new direction to which I need to hold His hand and focus on the way ahead.  I will still be around being blessed by all you share, so I pray you will be richly blessed as you each follow your own paths and create your own footprints.  What an awesome calling.  

Tracy Williamson is a writer and speaker working alongside blind singer/songwriter Marilyn Baker  for MBM Trust   Tracy loves writing devotionally and helping through her books and teaching to hear God's heart and grow deeper in His love.