Whose Footsteps Are You Following?

Do you remember yourself at 8 years of age?

When we weren’t in school being taught how to read or do math, most of us were probably playing outside.  Back in my day, it would have meant hop scotch, jump rope and Barbie dolls; homemade cookies and milk or for special treats - orange crush soda.

In 621 BC, Josiah, who was 8 years old, was assuming the throne as King of Judah.  His father had been assassinated, so by default, little Josiah became King Josiah. (2 Chronicles 34)

By the time Josiah was 20, he was leading Judah in powerful spiritual reformations and revival.

How does this happen? Josiah was the grandson of an evil King. Today we see generation after generation following each other’s footsteps. But Josiah stepped out and became different than his relatives. As King, he was faced with a mighty task in front of him and he boldly sought after the Lord for help.

What about you?  What are your priorities today? Who are you following?  Do you have a broken past?  Parents who were broken? Ok, so now it’s your turn. You get to call the shots. This is your life. You don’t have to be a product of what was. You can step out like Josiah and boldly seek the Lord.

A young boy in math class is standing at the chalk board with other students. The teacher has written the problem on the board for each student: 7 x 5 = __. All the other students have the answer right: 35. But this boy has written 7 x 5 = 75. The teacher has obviously told him it’s wrong, and he says to her, “It may be wrong, but it’s how I feel.” (1)

Does that not symbolize our culture today?  Stephen Carter, a professor of law at Yale University says, “Faith is dead, reason is dying, but ‘how I feel’ is going strong.” We are not interested in the Word of God because we are not interested in the truth. We are not interested in God’s will, because we are wrapped up in our will and doing what we want to do. We want to go by our feelings which are much more to our liking. Many people’s God is their feelings. (1)

Josiah was 8 years old. Since he was only a boy, he depended upon his mother, Jedidah, and pious men to help him stay on the right track. Do you have someone that can help you be accountable and on track? Do you even know what track you should be on? Ask God to reveal these things to you.   

Our culture is such that the Bible is always being attacked. I suggest this is because the Bible makes the reader accountable. And like the story of the boy at the chalk board, people today don’t want to be made accountable; they just want to do what they want to do. We’ve become a culture of people more interested in protecting our feelings than doing what’s right or being held accountable when we do wrong.

I challenge you to step out and be accountable. Be accountable for your actions; for your decisions. Find a church whose Pastor preaches God’s Word.  Find someone that can help you stay on track. Set a good example for your kids and for those around you.

People aren’t looking for you to have it all together. People are looking to know how you handle life when you don’t have it all together.  I’ll be praying for you.

Until next time~

Blessings, Nancy  

(1) Sermons.logos.com