Poems (Shipton)/The Shining Footprint
THE SHINING FOOTPRINT.
"I am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."—John viii. 12.
"We walk by faith, not by sight."—2 Cor. v. 7.
Dark the way I wander: Shall I then go back? Nay! I trace a footprint On the desert track, And I hear a whisper (Sweeter could not be),"Lo, I go before thee, Rise! and follow Me."
So I rose up quickly, With my staff in hand, Gath'ring strength in rising At my Lord's command; Yet I thought (half sighing), "Not a step I see!""On! "He said, "the darkness Hideth not from Me."
For awhile I lingered, Still on the sunshine bent; Not a ray broke o'er me, All the way I went; But upon the waters Seemed that step to be; O'er the billows whispered, "Come and follow me."
There were thousand footprints On my way before, Free and far they wandered, On that sandy shore. One, unlike all others In its lucid light, Left a path of glory Through the gloomy night.
By the stormy waters, In the busy street, Through the dreary alley, 'Mid the crowding feet, Gleams that shining footprint, All may seek and see; And the voice of Jesus Whispers, "Follow Me."
Lord, keep Thou my footsteps Very near to Thine, That some ray of glory On my path may shine; Nearer and still nearer Draw my heart to Thee, Lest I lose thy whisper— "Rise and follow Me."