Dancing with the STAR
Check out this new spin on the encouraging and well-known narrative Footprints in the Sand…
Imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking down the road together. For much of the way, the Lord’s footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace.
But your footprints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures, and returns.
For much of the way, it seems to go like this, but gradually your footprints come more in line with the Lord’s, soon paralleling His consistently.
You and Jesus are walking as true friends!
This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: Your footprints that once etched the sand next to Jesus’ are now walking precisely in His steps.
Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones – you and Jesus are becoming one.
This goes on for many miles, but gradually you notice another change. The footprints inside the large footprints seem to grow larger.
Eventually they disappear altogether. There is only one set of footprints. They have become one.
This goes on for a long time, but suddenly the second set of footprints is back. This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place – stops, starts, gashes in the sand – a variable mess of prints.
You are amazed and shocked.
Your dream ends.
Now you pray:
‘Lord, I understand the first scene, with zigzags and fits. I was a new Christian; I was just learning. But You walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with You.’
‘That is correct.’
‘And when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps, following You very closely.’
’Very good… You have understood everything so far.’
‘When the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I suppose that I was becoming like You in every way.’
‘Precisely.’
‘So, Lord, was there a regression or something? The footprints separated, and this time it was worse than at first.’
There is a pause as the Lord answers, with a smile in His voice -
‘You didn’t know? It was then that we danced!‘
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: ….
a time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4
Biblical Financial Discipleship
The SALT discipleship series teaching on finances is really excellent. The Bible has a lot to say about money and finances but it can all be summed up into four things. When we earn money honestly, give it generously, spend it wisely, and invest money carefully, we experience financial freedom. Financial freedom isn’t about how much we earn or have. It is all about whether or not we do what God wants us to do with His money. After all, it is all His. VCL’s financial teaching gives a basic but solid foundation of God’s will in this area.
As a former pastor, discipleship trainer, and bible counselor, I have found that very few people have even a rudimentary knowledge of finances and money. This area is one where Hosea 4:6 seems to be the norm-
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (NKJ).
Lack of basic economic knowledge produces much stress in relationships and results in strained marriages, depression, confusion, etc. There is a saying
“If all the money in the world were distributed equally, within ten years time 97% of the money would be under the control of 3% of the people”.
Could this be because most people don’t understand money or banking?
When it comes to money, the Law of Motion is very important. When air doesn’t move, it becomes stale; when water doesn’t move, it becomes stagnant; when blood doesn’t move, … You get the idea. This law is consistent with money too. If money doesn’t move, it will loose value. Ever noticed how money follows the sun. That’s right. When a bank in New York closes, it sends its money to a bank in San Francisco which sends its money to a bank in Hong Kong, which sends its money to a bank in Europe, which sends its money back to the bank in New York. Fees (interest) are charged at each transfer and money increases for the bankers as they perpetuate the cycle. This may be an oversimplification but you get the idea. Wouldn’t it be great if we could duplicate this financial motion for ourselves?
God wants His people free (Jn. 8:32). Knowing the truth about money and banking will set us free financially. Stay tuned for more posts about finances, banking and money.
