The sun peeks through the tall, delicate trees. The waves greet the sand with a friendly wave. As my feet sink into the sand with every step I take, I am reminded of how God’s faithfulness extends beyond our comprehension. As each previous footstep fades back into its original form, new footsteps are created with each passing second. The more I let myself explore this concept, the more my beautiful Jesus reveals His wondrous character. When I glance up at the water that extends beyond the horizon, I am reminded of God’s never ending love and scandalous grace. There are millions and millions of grains of sand on that warm, white beach. Jesus counts every single one of them. Not a single one goes unnoticed. Although we may allow our footsteps to leave imprints upon these little grains of sand, this is what they have been called to. This is one of their many purposes. We can’t always be sure of our purpose in this fragile life. But God is a beautiful artist. So beautiful that we can’t comprehend the reasons for his mighty handiwork at times.
We are called to have a mindset fixed on heaven, and less on earth. This beautiful earth, filled with gorgeous overflowing waterfalls and mountains that kiss the sky, is only temporary. As beautiful as it is, we can be reminded constantly that heaven is infinitely more beautiful than this life we live now. When we look at our past, the moments we have lived previously can be deafening. They speak into our souls and attempt to drown out the soft whispers of the holy spirit. When we slow down, we begin to understand that those invisible footsteps were stepping stones that shaped how we would walk in the moment. The past no longer has a grip on us, and is instead something so valuable that is used for Kingdom work by the King. The darkest areas of our hearts, are lightened by the sound of a thousand angels praising the King. The deafening sound of our past failures are transformed into a million trumpets being played to the tune of whole new life beginning when we understand and choose to live a life devoted to Jesus. Its not about following the ways we used to for so long. Its doing what comes least naturally. Its stepping off of the sand and into the water. It is about sacrificing comfort for a life filled with endless moments of pure blessing.
There are endless beaches filled with life throughout this beautiful world. Every beach has a story to it. What storms have weathered it over the years. How many people have been coming to soak in the escape from reality and a life filled with hustling. Just because the beach has been weathered in the past, doesn’t mean people stop coming to it. People are drawn to tragedy. They are drawn to history. The more someone or something has been weathered, the more a transformation can be seen growing from the ashes. Just as people are drawn to transformation, Jesus is drawn to the ashes scattered on the ground. Jesus doesn’t look for perfect people. He looks for imperfect people in need of rescue. This comforting fact has led me beside calm fields of green. It has led me through green pastures in the most chaotic, frantic areas of life.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,” PSALM 23;2
As the sun beats down on those thousands of grains of sand, the light shines through the darkness of the clouds. No amount of doubt, shame, guilt, or sin can keep away the light of our beautiful savior. He is always right beside, guiding us towards the peace that passes all understanding. Slow down and breathe in the crisp, fresh air that tickles your cheeks with each passing wind gust. There is meaning in your mistakes. There is purpose in your pain. There is freedom in the fire. Jesus refines us through every invisible step along that sandy journey. He is beautiful. He is everlasting. He is Jesus.
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