Casandra Martin

One of the things that I love about the Bible is its ability to surprise me. There is always a new treasure to discover, a new truth to be learned, and a new facet of God’s character to explore. God never changes, and His Word remains the same. I am the one who is different. As I grow, and hopefully mature, God continues to open His heart to me, calling me, forgiving me, challenging me, and transforming me. Because of His work, I experience new things in His Word each time I open my Bible.

Today it is John 1:14. Actually, it is just the first nine words that are holding such a powerful grip on my heart and imagination. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” The intensity of that statement is overwhelming. Jesus left heaven, and moved into the world. He put on our shoes, and walked in our lives. He traded glory for grime, majesty for mess, praise for abuse, and a throne for a cross.

These words hold not only a tremendous gift, but a powerful challenge. If I am going to look like Jesus, I have to do the same thing. I must be willing to walk in another’s life in order to point them to God. Honestly, I don’t always want to do that. It is messy, inconvenient, disquieting, and disruptive. But that is what Jesus calls us to do. Put on someone else’s shoes and walk, not just a mile, but two miles with them in order to extend grace and let them see Christ.

My Jesus Resolution today is to put on some shoes. I am going to take a hard look at the places and people that fill my days and ask Him to show me where I need to walk. Maybe I need to change pews at church and sit with a mother with small children or teens who need to know they are loved. Maybe I need to walk over to my neighbor’s house rather than waving from across the street. Maybe I need to make the phone call, send the card, give the hug, or make the trip. Jesus left everything to walk in my shoes. I want to walk in His steps.