In winter, it can be fun to decipher tracks left in the snow.

I sometimes make a little game of this as I’m going for a walk.

You can usually tell by the size and spacing of bootprints whether they were left by a man, woman, or child.

Tracks going to each house in turn clearly belong to the mail carrier.

Human footprints next to smaller, clawed ones indicate that a neighbour was walking the dog.

Dainty, single-file paw prints show that a cat was making its rounds, whereas a repeating W-shaped pattern of impressions indicate that a squirrel was hopping across the lawn.

And small bootprints that meander crazily like a butterfly are a sure sign that my four-year-old neighbour Noah passed this way!

What tracks are you leaving in life?

Will people want to follow in your footsteps?

The best way to leave a legacy that others will want to take as a pattern is to lead a godly life. We do that by imitating Jesus.

Over and over, the Bible records Jesus as telling people, “Follow me.”

And He’s inviting us to do the same thing today. But how do we follow in His footsteps?

By reading the Scriptures.

Without reading the word of God, we can’t see where He’s been and where He’s going. The Bible shows us the pattern of Jesus’ life of love and sacrifice, and His teachings show us how to live a godly life, step by step. Jesus’ tracks are easy to see when you read the Scriptures.

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

We can use the Bible as a sort of roadmap for life, showing us the best routes to take, and which ones to avoid. No matter what walk of life you come from, the Bible won’t steer you wrong.

“Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.” (Psalm 119:133)

When we walk according to God’s precepts, our lives become a blessing to others. By observing our example, they will want to learn about Jesus and join us on the path that leads to eternal life.

So let’s keep in step with God’s love and leave a trail that beckons others to follow, a path leading straight to Jesus!

“My steps have stayed on your path; I have not wavered from following you.”

Psalm 17:5

© 2022 Lori J. Cartmell. All rights reserved.