Footprints in the Sand

My Crooked Journey That Led Me Straight to Jesus

“I have upheld you since your birth…Even to your old age and gray hairs…I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”—Isaiah 46:3–4

Retirement has given me time for reflection—and reflection has brought revelation.

Looking back, I can see more clearly how God’s footprints have been present throughout what I call “my crooked journey that led me straight to Jesus.” He carried me through fits and frustrations, personal failures, prideful successes and prosperity—continually teaching me grace, gratitude and humility.

I remain forever impressed by those God has used to change the world—and to change me: a Carpenter, fishermen, a shepherd boy with a stone, a blind beggar, a murderer, a prostitute—and every day, ordinary people who, through faith and obedience, did the extraordinary. Not because of who they were, but because of who God is, through them.

“God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong…so that no one may boast.”—1 Corinthians 1:27–29

God has used such people throughout my own life:

A fifth-grade, lifelong friend who came alongside the “new kid” to love me, rebuke me and model humility.

My wife of more than 50 years—my rock of peace, selfless love and the patience of Job—who simply said, “I saw your heart.”

Hotel employees in Nashville who showed me love, launched my career, and taught me the heart of hospitality.

School teens who had fallen through all the cracks, but showed me that “love never fails.”

Survivors of genocide in Rwanda who allowed me to witness how only Jesus can redeem a life, restore a soul and enable us to forgive the unforgivable.

Compassionate teachers, counselors, principals, government officials, business executives and gospel-centered pastors who allowed me to listen and learn—to hear the deeper needs of children and families in our schools and communities.

God doesn’t waste a thing in our lives. Like a loving Father, He is always loving, always teaching, always growing and maturing our faith and trust in Him.

Now, at 73, I still feel childlike in my faith—ever growing, ever maturing and ever reflecting upon the unfinished parts of my life, until that day…

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me…Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”
—1 Corinthians 13:11–12

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” —1 Corinthians 13:13

This is the genesis, evolution and deeper meaning of Love | Listen | Learn to me.

LOVE is our deepest need.

Love endears and endures. “Love never fails.” Jesus’ selfless, sacrificial—agape—love is the foundation of truth. Love works through the heart and soul. Only the heart can truly change the head.

God is love.

What, then, is love?

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking…Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” —1 Corinthians 13:4–8

Love is not merely a feeling. It is a commitment expressed through action and the sacrifice of self.

Love does not wait until someone deserves it. Genuine love is a gift we give others. It is a choice to take the initiative—to pursue and “go to” the hurting, the least, the last, the lost, the lonely, the stranger and those living in fear.

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…We love because He first loved us.” —1 John 4:18–19

Fear foments isolation, anger, hatred and division.  Love liberates us from fear.

Jesus' said His most important command is to: “Love one another.” —John 13:34

To LISTEN is the purest act of love.

Listening is a discipline—an act of affirmation, encouragement and acceptance.

We are to listen intently and empathetically, from the heart and without judgment. We listen to become informed, enlightened and to understand—not merely to respond, prescribe, fix or judge.

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” —James 1:19

Listening from the heart takes us from the superficial to the soul—from intellectual assumptions to inner truth, from defense and defiance to deeper need.

It allows us to hear the real-life story behind the hurt so that healing can begin.

Only then can we LEARN the authentic truth within another’s soul.

To learn is to discover the deeper need—the truth, the heart. We learn more authentically listening through our hearts.  Our hearts change our heads.  Then our intellectual and personal perspectives become more closely aligned, and in sync, with our heart, our soul and with God, our Creator.

 “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” —Proverbs 2:6

We can then learn with the intent to nurture honest, transformative relationships and earn one another’s trust.

When we do, the stranger may become a friend. A person who feels alone may discover that they belong to something greater than self—a loving, caring and accountable community, ultimately the Body of Christ.

Only then are we prepared to “step into the relational gap”—continuing to build relationships and earn trust as we experience shared healing, renewed hope, liberating peace and transformational life.

Only when we love sacrificially, listen intently and learn the deeper truth can we truly repent, reconcile, redeem and renew a life...my life.