Our Hope: Order Our Steps

“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps.”  1 Peter 1:21 (ESV)

There is an old song that our choir used to sing a few years back, called Order My Steps In Your Word, sung by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.  Whenever I hear the word steps in reference to following Jesus, I can’t help but think of this song.

We tend to worry that we will never be able to be enough like Jesus to enter into Heaven.  We also stress ourselves in thinking that we are not working hard enough to make a difference in this world, in our work for the Kingdom. But if we will just stop and realize what it is all about, then we can stop those feelings.  And we will see the truth.

When we read of Jesus’ journey to the cross, from birth to resurrection, we can definitely identify steps.  He took steps in every direction, up, down, and all around, in how He traveled to share the Word.  He took steps to go to those who could or would not come to Him, in order that they may be saved.  He was taking steps the day the woman with the issue of blood pushed through the crowd to simply touch His gown, knowing she would be healed by His power.

Jesus took huge steps in equipping, teaching, and testing His disciples.  They were crucial to His ministry, while He was walking with them, but even more so once He went to be with His Father.  He needed them to fulfill the purposes of His Father, His purposes, when He would no longer be walking on this earth.  The steps He took were strong, merciful, difficult, persevering, established.  He never wavered or went off course.  He finished in sheer perfection.

You see, we will never be able to fully walk in the steps of Jesus.  Our steps are not His.  And His ways are not ours either.  But we are to emulate Him to the best of our abilities, and if our hearts and minds have been touched and equipped by Him, then we will step exactly as we are supposed to.  In so doing, not only will our steps be ordered by Him, but they will have the most efficient and effective impact for His cause.

When we ask Jesus to order our steps, we are giving Him the control over our lives and our will that He wants, and that we need.  Our God is a God of order. Just look at creation and see how order is the rule of the day.  When we allow Jesus to order our steps, then we are walking in His steps because we are joining Him in His work.  And that is exactly where His steps will lead us.

Jesus is Our Hope.  When we take one step at a time, and allow Jesus to order them all, then hope is ever-present in our daily lives.  Ask Him to order your steps, and be willing to allow Him to lead you in ways you have never ventured before.  Your steps will become more like His steps, and your ways will become like His ways as well.

If you would like to listen to the song Order My Steps In Your Word, here is the link.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3FXgRHOXfE

When have you allowed Jesus to order your steps? Please comment here or leave a post at www.mystoryofgrace.com, that we may celebrate with you the order Jesus brought to your steps.

Blessings!