So we’re in Wenceslas Square, but where is King Wenceslas? There’s a statue of a guy on a horse dressed in armor and carrying a banner, but his name is Svaty Vaclave. Never heard of him.
But the next morning we had an official tour of Prague’s old town and the mystery was solved. There in the Old Town Square was a beautiful fresco of the man who was never a king, but was a duke or prince. Svaty Vaclave was Wenceslas. He was good and did wonderful things for his people. He was there the whole time. We just didn’t recognize his name.
The familiar Christmas carol tells about King Wenceslas trudging through the snowy night with his page following close behind. The page is frightened by the dark night, the growing snow storm and howling winds. He’s ready to give up, afraid he will be lost in the storm.
But then the king tells the page, “Walk directly in your master’s footprints in the snow. And do it boldly! Stay close to me. You will find the winter storm isn’t as scary.”
As leaders in our family, our company, our congregation, what kind of footsteps are we leaving behind? Are we providing footsteps of encouragement and confidence? Is there a clear path forward for others to follow. Do we encourage them to stay close to us and do we look back to be sure they are following. When asked “Where are we going?” do we have an answer that is clear?
When someone tells us they don’t think they can keep going, keep up the pace, keep working, our calling is to show them how they can succeed. We create those footsteps for them to follow and gain confidence, and we keep close tabs on them to be sure they are successful.
King Wenceslas had great confidence in his path because he knew his mission was important for the welfare of that poor peasant who needed the gifts of food he was bringing. Our goals and missions may not follow the same altruistic path. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be pleasing to our Lord.
So whose steps am I placing my feet into?
When we were in Israel we visited Herod’s palace where our Lord Jesus was kept in a dungeon before his trial. As we left for our next destination, our guide told us that the pedestrian street we were walking on was there when Jesus lived. He walked on those very stones! The famous Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem where He was led away to be crucified is also preserved with its original stones.
But even without a trip to Israel, we can walk in our Master’s footsteps.
In the old 1941 Lutheran hymnal there is a hymn that I’m sure was rarely sung: “I Walk in Danger All the Way.” The first three verses are quite alarming. They talk of the real dangers, trials and adversities of this world. Death is personified as an adversary constantly pursuing us and who can strike at any time. Thank goodness the angels appear in verse four to defend and shield us!
And then comes our Lord Jesus. “I walk with Jesus all the way…And by His footsteps led, My path I safely tread.” This comforting thought is familiar to anyone who knows Psalm 23: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me” (ESV).
We trust in our Lord Jesus for safety and comfort, in spite of everything that may go wrong in this world. We also trust in Him to give us purpose in our lives. That old hymn also reminds us “His guidance never fails me.”
I know I can trust my Lord Jesus because He is the Light of the world. When I follow Him I’m not walking in darkness (John 8:12). I’m walking in the footsteps of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 12:18). I’m walking in the way of love and truth (Ephesians 5:2; 2 John 1:4&6; 3 John 1:3-4).
Staying close to the Savior who promises to be with me always gives me the confidence, the courage to keep going. And it keeps me on the right path, the one He shines His light, the light of His Word, so clearly on.
Best of all He knows my name and I know His!
Christine Vogelsang is a teacher, musician, pastor’s wife, and mother of three adult children. For almost forty years her family enjoyed the love of congregations in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Southern California. She has earned her master’s degree in education, taught at various schools (from kindergarten to college) and served as music director for twenty-five years at their last church.
While writing and speaking about the joy of being God’s child has always been a part of her life, it wasn’t until her weekly inspirational blogs (restoringthejoy.net) gained an international following that Christine decided to publish her first book. She has also written and produced three plays about people and events in the Gospels that bring these ancient stories to life.
Christine and her husband have retired from full time church work; however, her blog ministry continues to grow. She recently completed her Restoring the Joy: Leaving My Guilt at the Cross book series (available through Amazon) and is scheduling more speaking engagements that highlight her spiritual passion: joy without guilt!
