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You’ve probably heard this story:

A man was walking down the beach with Jesus. After a long journey, rife with challenges and heartache, he looked behind him and noticed only one set of footprints in the sand. He looked at Jesus and said, “Jesus I thought You promised to be with me no matter what. But I look behind and only see one set of footprints. Why is there only one set?” And Jesus responded, “My son. There is only one set of footprints because the Sand People march in single file to hide their numbers.”

Ok if you’re a Star Wars fan, you might have laughed. I know I did when I first heard that. If you don’t follow Star Wars, you’re probably like, “hey, that’s not how it goes.” Regardless, I thought of God’s faithfulness today.

One of the most encouraging things I can think of is the fact that God is constant and faithful. He doesn’t change! Could you imagine if God was as fickle as us humans tend to be? Or if, as atheists would think, that there is no constant being overseeing the universe? I believe reality would fly to pieces. There would be no morality, no standards. I could shoot you in the face and chock it up to a bad day. All of reality would be one giant bipolar disaster.

I for one praise God that I know He never changes. He is the same today that He was in the time of Noah. Or Samuel. I bet Rahab, the prostitute, was thankful that God responded to her as a beloved daughter, rather than an “ugly prostitute.” I’m glad God looks at our heart, and while He weeps at our rebellion, He loves us in a constant way.

Are you, spiritually speaking, on cloud nine? Praise God for His faithfulness. Are you in the dumps of life or at the lowest point you’ve ever could imagine? Look up! He is still there! His presence has never left. He’s responding to you, “My son. During those hardest times, I’ve been carrying you. That’s why there’s only one set of footprints.”

“From the rising to the setting sun, His love endures forever. By the grace of God, we will carry on. His love endures forever. Sing praise, sing praise.

Forever God is faithful. Forever God is strong. Forever God is with us. Forever and ever.” - Chris Tomlin

I am easily distracted. I believe this why I have worked so hard to develop good task oriented habits. If I do not have constant reminders or set tasks, I will easily get distracted by something and latch onto it. This also applies to my walk as a follower of God.

I will have seasons of close relationship to God, then get distracted and just float along with life… No passion, little faith, weak conviction. I highly doubt I’m alone in this. Surely, other God-followers struggle with this, right?

I started new job duties last week, football season started (Go Broncos!), constant enmity between my ex-wife and I and the subsequent tug of war over the attention and adoration of my daughter (dear, sweet Mercedes. My prayer is that the only thing you receive and see is constant, unfettered love from your mother, stepfather, your dad, and stepmother), trying to establish higher value in the church (this is a bad thing), money, and the pride of life all cause me to be distracted.

I love that God is faithful. I love that God lovingly and gently gives me reminders, specific ones that speak to my heart, of His high and exalted position in the world. I love that He brings my heart close to Him.

For some reason the image of a King has always resonated with my heart. Maybe it’s because I saturated myself in fantasy novels as a child… The fact is, God as King, is a theological type that works for me. If you look at some of my previous posts, you’ll see this trend.

Here’s my gentle reminder today:

With authority You’ve spoken
And You’ve set the captive free
You’re the King who came to serve
And You’re the God who washed our feet
You’re the one who took our burdens
And You bled upon the cross
In Your kindness and Your mercy
You became the way for us.

He is the King. The King who rules yet serves. The King who demands fidelity yet sacrifices Himself for His enemies. The King who deserves adoration yet gives grace to those who wilfully deny Him. The King who gently reminds when we allow that which doesn’t matter to distract us from what does.

So what’s important? God has called me specifically at this time in my life to be a faithful, honest, trustworthy husband; to lavish unfettered love and attention on my wife; to be a father of love to my daughter-one who is involved and attentive, loyal and present; to work hard, supplying for my family; to be an example to those who may be observing me. Thank You God, my King, for this reminder!

What distracts you from what’s important in life? I think that’s a question we can all ask ourselves, even if we believe in God or not. For you God followers, what truths speak to your heart, specifically? How can you take those truths and meditate on them today?