I read a heartwarming story recently about a father and his four-year-old son. They lived in the northeast, and one winter, got hit with a two-foot snowstorm. The father’s parents lived within walking distance, so he decided to walk down to check on them after the storm.
When he told his wife his plans, the four-year-old’s ears perked up. He wanted to go with his dad, and he wouldn’t be denied! So the father obliged. As they plowed through the snow drifts, the man looked back to find his son putting his feet exactly in the steps he was leaving behind. He asked with a chuckle, “Why are you doing that, son?”
The son replied, “Because I know I’ll be safe as long as I put my feet in the same place as yours.”
What a beautiful picture this is of how we’re meant to follow our heavenly Father—walking in the path of protection and blessing He has carved out for us. Paul speaks of this in Ephesians 5:1-2: “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
If you continue reading the chapter, Paul shows us how. We see that first, blessing comes when we, as God’s children, don’t blend, but instead, find our identity in Him. That’s what verse 2 says. When we live as God’s children, we walk in the way of Christ—the way of love. Not just any love, but agape love—the kind that looks to serve the best interest of those around us. We should ask ourselves: Do I only love when it’s convenient, or is love my cruciform?
Second, we find blessing comes when we don’t bend, but instead, guard our purity. Verses 3-6 tell us not to give in to sexual immorality, greed, or foul language, because this is not the way of God’s people. We should ask ourselves honestly: Am I known for celebrating the blessings righteousness brings or for tolerating evil?
Third, we see blessing comes when we don’t bow, but instead, value maturity in Christ. Verses 7-14 tell us not to become partners with darkness but to live as children of the light, focused on pleasing the Lord. We must ask ourselves: When trouble comes, do I tend to grow up or give in?
Finally, we see blessing comes when we don’t break, but instead, value the influence of Christ. Verses 16-20 tell us to make the most of our days, living God’s way in these “evil days.” We should ask ourselves: Am I treating the Spirit-filled life as a blessing or a burden?
If we’ll follow the path God marked out for us, I’m certain He will respond, resulting in revival—one our country desperately needs. Change won’t come from angry people or passive people—it will come from those who value speaking, loving, and living God’s truth in love!
