unseen footprints by Keith Glasgow Copyright 1994 - Living Hope Publications ISBN 0-9583345-4-4 2nd (revised) edition 1996 3rd (expanded) edition 2003 Published by: Living Hope Publications 22 Chamberlain Drive, Kilsyth Vic 3137 Australia www.keithglasgow.com O cKeith grew up in Brisbane and Melbourne, and spent his last 2 years of schooling in India where his father took a teaching position at a Christian school. He gave his life fully to Christ at age 21 and spent many years in New Zealand where he met and married Marg. For eighteen years Keith served the Lord in itinerant evangelism. In 1996 he returned to Australia to take up a position as Senior Pastor at Canterbury Gardens Community Church and then, after 10 years they moved to Edge Church where Keith served as Senior Pastor for 5 years.Contents Foreward One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten Eleven 3 7 17 29 39 49 61 69 81 97 107 125 Out of the Chrysalis The Awl Not Ashamed Olive Branches A Voice Behind Mountain Moving High Stakes - No Risk The Mighty Hand of God Enemy Territory Loosening the Roots Go for it!UNSEEN FOOTPRINTS FORWARD The autobiography of G.H. Lang, “An Ordered Life”, had a life-changing effect in my early Christian experi- ence. It moulded my thinking and set me up for the adventure of serving God. I was eager to follow the Lord, but was unsure of His will for my life. The book was not a theological treatise on the subject of knowing God’s will, but the story of God’s providence and sovereign control in the life of one of His servants. It illustrated principles of guidance rather than explicitly teaching them. Today there are many books available to help Chris- tians learn how to find God’s will in their lives. Another book would add nothing new. I am not therefore writing to give an analytical or structured thesis on God’s guidance. Rather I am following the example of G.H. Lang. This book contains personal experiences of the Lord’s guidance over the past twenty years. Though autobiographical in nature, it is married to unchanging principles of the way God leads His people. In Psalm 77:19 Asaph celebrates the great deliver- ance which the Israelites experienced when Jehovah set them free from the Egyptians and led them through the Red Sea. “Your path led through the sea, Your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen” God was not leading His people in person. Though His footprints were unseen, His guidance was unmis- takable. Likewise today, every disciple of the Lord Jesus will be able to look back on life and discern the unseen footprints of their Master.Good and bad decisions, triumphs and tragedies, fulfilment and failure will all be seen to be under the sovereign control of God. The Lord has been a faithful Friend, a trustworthy Counsellor and a stable Rock. I have found that the more I know Him, and understand His amazing nature, the less sweat and uncertainty I experience in doing His will. My life is not spectacular. But whose is? Yet the excitement of depending on God for direction and grace lifts Christian living to a level of fulfilment and praise which is truly spectacular. This kind of living is not reserved for missionaries! It is the portion of all who willingly place their hands in the Hand of the Lord Jesus, and step out to live a life of faith. PLEASE NOTE: The personal experiences narrated in this book are not in chronological order. They have been selected to illustrate the principle of guidance being taught in each respective chapter.Dedication This book is dedicated to my very special wife, Marg, who has been a constant source of encouragement and wise counsel through many years of ministry. Her willingness to put up with a modest life-style, an often absent husband, and the pressures of ministry, will not lose it's reward. Chapter 1 OUT OF THE CHRYSALIS PRINCIPLE Applying God's soveriegnty to important decisions sets us free from the chrysalis of doubt and fear. We can move ahead confidently and securly knowing that God's purpose for our lives will not be frustrated.“O Lord," I agonised, “please reveal your will to me.” I moved on my knees and wriggled my toes to accelerate the movement of blood. I continued ear- nestly in my prayer marathon. “O God, you know my heart; I really want to do your will! I don’t care what you want me to do, only please show me.” Day after day I was so taken up with my search for God’s direction that I wasted hours of time, lost sleep, and almost drove my wife insane. Marg and I had met about the time when I gave my life to Jesus Christ. He changed me powerfully. I was immediately motivated to serve Him. Even marriage did not change my desire. I would be up early in the morning to study God’s Word, and as I grew in the Lord I threw myself into any opportunities of service open for me. We belonged to a small but growing Open Brethren church in Auckland. One elder in particular, Fred King, took a special interest in me, and encouraged me to serve the Lord. He was a board member and part-time lecturer at the N.Z. Assembly Bible School. One Sun- day morning he asked me “Are you coming to the Bible School Graduation?” Marg and I thought “Why not?” As the students received their diplomas it occurred to me that I too could go to Bible School. I had seen students take church services on Sunday evenings and thought of them as spiritual giants. In reality I was only a new believer, and would not dream of putting myself on the same level as them. Though brought up in a Christian home and taught the Word of God, many years of rebellion and sin had separated that early life from my recent commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. But God used that graduation ceremony to change my mind, and after the programme I spoke with the retiring Principal Mr. Tyler. He encouraged us to attend. Unseen Footprints8Next >