In His Steps

“…Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.” 1 Peter 2:21

When I was young, my family spent many spring afternoons searching fields on the farm for Indian arrowheads. Prime time for discovery followed deep plowing and a heavy rain. That was also the top time for getting stuck – up to your knees in the thick, dark mud. I soon learned the best way to navigate around the fields was to follow the freshly made footprints of my father.

In His Steps. Author Charles Sheldon used this phrase in 1896, to title his book which challenged Christians to ask the famous WWJD – “What Would Jesus Do?” question when facing the moral quandaries of life. Few people were in worse dilemmas than the ones to whom this verse was originally written – slaves. Beaten up and beaten down, slaves spent their lives caring for the needs of others with no one looking out for their own. Valued as property not as people, they were traded or mistreated at their masters’ whims. Slaves had every right and reason to rebel, yet they were called to remember Jesus’ example of humility and holiness and to follow in His steps. As those living in the luxury of freedom, we should be even more willing.

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.”

I failed to mention that my dad is 6 feet 4 inches tall and wears a size 14 shoe. I was often stretched to my limit as I tried to follow his big stride. Life’s choices are constant and challenging. The imitation of Christ will strain us and stretch us as well. A glance across the footprints of His life can leave us thinking, “What big shoes to fill.”

We’re not asked to fill His shoes. We’re told to follow His steps.
In the best of times and the worst of times, follow closely – all the time.