Imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking down the road 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, you and
>Jesus are becoming one.
>
>This goes on for many miles, but gradually you notice another
>change. The footprints inside the large 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 is back. This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the
>place. Stops. Starts. Gashes in the sand. A variable mess of prints.
>
>You are amazed and shocked.
>
>Your dream ends. Now you pray:
>
>"Lord, I understand the first scene, with 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, following You very closely."
>
>"Very good.. You have understood everything so far."
>
>When the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I
>suppose that I 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.
>
>"You didn't know? It was then that we danced!"
>
>To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose
>under heaven: A time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time
>to dance. Ecclesiastes 3:1,4.