This stepping pattern has also been
used in weddings I’ve observed and a number I have officiated. I always leave
the decision as to whether or not the bride and her attendants will do it… to
her. They can usually handle it just fine, but the dads are sometimes a
different story. Some can’t be bothered. Some are afraid of messing up. And
some manage quite well. I hope I’ll be in this last category when Brianne gets
married. I don’t want to do anything silly that draws attention to myself.
However, I’m quite certain that Brianne will be so beautiful that it will be
very difficult to distract people from her.
I was never in the military, so I
never learned to march properly. But it’s impressive to watch a well-trained
unit or drill team going through its paces. The precision is remarkable. The
same is true of marching bands and drum corps. Members of these groups have to
be able to keep in step with each other, and the best ones do so with apparent
perfection.
The Apostle Paul uses this idea with
regard to our life in the Holy Spirit. He says that those who belong to Christ
are to “keep in step” with the Spirit. In other words, we are follow the
pattern for living that He establishes. Our walk should be “in rhythm” with Him
rather than being distracted by the rhythms of the world around us. What He
does, we should do. Where He guides, we should go. When He commands, we should
obey immediately. Any member of a drill team or a military platoon cannot just
“do his own thing”, can he? The whole point is being one in movement, sound,
and rhythm. It is to avoid calling attention to yourself but being one with
others in whatever cadence the leader directs. The Holy Spirit is our leader in
helping us to follow Christ. He sets the beat and we are called to be “in sync”
with Him.
Some illustrations of this principle you might want
to view can be found at the following links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1UZpsdxDN0
(metronomes); http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p0DsVPkyZg
(Japanese synchronized walking – men) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jINuX_Hort8
(Japanese
synchronized walking - women)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xteDjaNKY0 (United States Marine Corps Silent
Drill Platoon)
Galatians 5:22-26
(NIV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and
self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those
who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions
and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in
step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited,
provoking and envying each other.
Job 23:11 (NIV) 11 My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his
way without turning aside.
Job 31:4 (NIV) 4 Does he not see my ways and count my every step?
Psalm 17:5 (NIV) 5 My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped.
Psalm 37:23 (KJV) 23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and
he delighteth in his way.
Colossians 2:6 (NASB) 6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so
walk in Him,
PRAYER: Father, as your Spirit sets the pace for me to
follow with my brothers and sisters in Christ, help me to listen to Him and to
stay true to the steps He has for us. Help to remember that it’s not about me
and drawing attention to myself, but rather it’s about Jesus and drawing
attention to Him. May He be fully on view in me. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”
Jesus
Christ is Lord!
Scott
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