TRACKS IN THE SNOW

A glistening dell,

white-clad and temple-like,

a line of fresh-made tracks

beneath a spruce’s spike,

where winds have not come in

to shake the boughs of snows,

and in a winter’s blue,

the morning sun grows.

It’s here we see a pattern,

while breathing crisp air,

the prints of whitetail deer

preserved in snowy care,

the pointed toes had followed

the ones before them made,

and dainty ones, too,

had crossed the frozen glade.

The wisest and the learned

trust in established ways,

through cold and drifted trials

to kinder, warmer days;

so, let us raise a prayer

and speak our human need—

to step within the footsteps

of Sovereign-made lead.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25

TRACKS IN THE SNOW

Happy New Year!

God With Us, Emmanuel! 

God was there in the year behind us. He allowed what He allowed. For me, it was a very good year. Emmanuel! God is still with us. He is in this new year. Jesus said He will be with us to the end of the world. And we know God keeps His promises.

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matthew 28:18-20

With the 2021 new year comes a new word at the end of every post here on my Poems and Prayer blog. It has been educating and rewarding to find each year’s word throughout scripture. So, at the end, you will see it (unless you have already skimmed down!).

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 8:12

When I used to teach music to kindergarten students, they mimicked my motions to a song. They marched around the music room feeling the beat in their step, clapped the rhythm of the melody and arched their arms to show musical phrasing, like I did. Quite a picture!

Jesus promises the light of life to those who follow Him. What does the ‘light of life’ mean? I think it’s an opportunity to feel the beat of the Holy Spirit, responding, sometimes, with a march in our step due to clear purpose in heart. It’s singing a song because of sensing a presence very near. It enables vision to be able to wave our arms in expressions of joy due to answered prayer.

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Proverbs 29:18

Since God is the Creator, He makes the rules of His creation. Since He is the Designer, He knows His design. The vision of spiritual eyes is connected with faith. Honor Him in faith and He can envision you. Without faith, the way becomes dark and drifts from the light of life.

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Jeremiah 33:3

Through prayer, we can directly call upon our Creator. Let’s not turn down such an opportunity or forget it exists. Let’s not let other things steer us off track. Remember prayer. Prayer is proof God wants a personal relationship with us. And then, trust God.

And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

Matthew 9:9

Rise up, shepherd, and follow. Jesus calls us to follow Him. I’ve discovered over the years that to be a good follower means to get out of the leader’s way. I’m still no expert, only a work in progress! But, I know to be a follower of Jesus Christ means to trust where He leads, that if we live by the Spirit, then we walk in the Spirit.

Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.

Deuteronomy 5:33

Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.

Deuteronomy 13:4

Like most animals, the deer take the path of least resistance. They follow a path already broken from the one who broke trail. Creation reminds us to trust God’s lead and that it will be for our best. God leads us into the new year. He is here with us and already in the year to come. Follow on. March on. Boldly we go into 2021!

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

Jeremiah 6:16

We learn from scripture that some people chose not follow. They chose not to walk therein. It happened then and it happens today. It is to be concluded, then, that they will end up not getting rest for their souls. God is not a dictator. He lets us choose. The Great Heart Reader knows the human heart He created, whether for or against. I encourage you to choose wisely. Unto us, salvation is given. Take it! Receive. Follow.

 

Order my steps in thy word; and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

Psalm 119:133

The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

Proverbs 20:7

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.

1 Peter 2:21

If things aren’t clear when standing in the crossroads, ask God for clarity. If we don’t ask, God granting our request is much slimmer, if at all. When finding others walking on the same faith road, be encouraged. That’s another thing that could be granted if requested: friends to walk with.

Psalm 117 only has two verses! Here they are:

O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalm 117: 1-2 (This is the whole Psalm!)

With tracks set before us by Jesus Christ, the promised ‘light of life’, let us walk in our integrity in the new year knowing God’s merciful kindness.