The well-known book, “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” recounts the story of a family and their beloved dog who was about to deliver puppies. The grass was wet with dew one morning as the husband mowed the lawn. The little dog ran around the lawn mower barking at it, as she usually did. There seemed to be no cause for concern because she never got very close to the mower. However, that morning as she ran toward the mower, instead of stopping she began to slide on the wet grass. Tragically, her two hind legs slid under the mower and were severed. They rushed her to the veterinarian hoping something could be done. After informing them that her unborn puppies were uninjured, the doctor gave them two choices: either he could euthanize her, or he could sew up her two hind stubs and they could take her home. The children begged that they choose the second option, so the parents agreed. To the surprise of all, the little dog soon learned to get around. She would walk around the house, taking steps with her front feet and flipping the rear stubs underneath her. She gave birth to normal, beautiful puppies and took excellent care of them. Although her puppies grew larger and stronger each week, there was one problem: they learned to walk just like their mother.

By beholding, we become changed. This is how we learn to walk like the Master. “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked”(1 John 2:6). Walking means moving forward, not standing still or going backwards. Walking also involves exertion; we must not stand on the sidelines but be actively involved. In short, in order to walk with Jesus we must put forth effort by exercising our God-given abilities. We gain enthusiasm and strength by walking in God’s light, so that we may have energy to run in the way of His commandments. “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin”(1 John 1:7). Walking in the light simply means staying close to Jesus. The Bible says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). As the light shines on our pathway we must choose to walk in the light. He is the Light of the world. His light is what keeps us from stumbling, going astray each day, yet it is here that so many lose their way. As the Holy Spirit leads us in the understanding of Scripture, even if it requires sacrifice, we must be willing to walk in the truth of God’s Word. The Apostle John wrote, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 4). What is truth? Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). As we read the life and teachings of Jesus, we are given clear instructions on how to walk in truth.

The pages that follow will provide you insight and a desire to walk “In the Master’s Steps.”