Footprints

When you think about someone who you consider successful, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Is it a person who started a company and grew it to be a source of income for years? Or, is it a person that helped their children to grow to be successful and happy? Or, is it someone who helped a community to thrive, while sacrificing any gain for themselves?

There is no one way to be successful. We all leave footprints, it's just a choice between leaving footprints that are a positive path to follow, or using your feet to step on others as you selfishly make your way toward your goals. How can we tell the difference? It's sometimes hard to see.

A business leader who is known for their brutal management style may be looked upon as a bad person by their colleagues. but the reason that they behave the way they do at work is so they can make sure, as a single parent, their children have a shot at success themselves. Someone who appears shy and withdrawn may be considered an underachiever, but in fact is a brilliant thinker who doesn't always know what to say in a conversation.

We all leave footprints, it's just a choice between leaving footprints that are a positive path to follow, or using your feet to step on others...

It really comes down to how any person can answer this question - am I on God's path or am I on the Enemy's path? We can answer that question for ourselves because God is in each one of us, in the same way the Enemy is constantly challenging us. What is true is that the less we focus on God, the more vulnerable we are to the influences of the Enemy, to the point where we are consumed by him and walk mindlessly on his path.

If you are a stern person that is perceived as mean and unapproachable, that's OK if you have God in your heart and you are building a positive foundation for those that follow you. But, if you are angry and withdrawn because you have let your faith go and the Enemy occupies your soul, then you are no good to anyone because all you will leave behind is a trail of poison. 

As you read this, what is your heart telling you? Have you cultivated your faith to the point that it illuminates your path, or have you lost your way? If you allow yourself to think deeply about this, you will either find yourself in prayer, or you will see an empty hole in front of you. The weaker your faith, the bigger the hole. What good it that to anyone, including yourself?

No matter where you are in your life, it is never too late to build a lasting, positive legacy. Just ask Him how to start.