Footprints on the Moon

We all have mountains to climb and challenges to face, but if you want to do something that lasts leave your footprints on the moon.

It takes 40 days to climb the 29,000 ft of Mt. Everest. Only 200 people have ever reached the summit without supplemental oxygen. Three hundred people have died trying. Everest is dangerous, but it is an incredible achievement for those who make it to the top. 

What makes Everest so dangerous is not just the elevation and lack of oxygen but the harsh winds and blinding storms. The conditions change quickly, leaving climbers small windows of time to get up and get down.

What’s true of Everest is true of every mountain on earth. Because of the conditions, there may be well-worn paths, but your footprints won’t last forever. In time the wind and the rain will erase any trace that you were ever there. 

And so it is with our challenges and accomplishments. It takes a while to get there, but once it’s over, it’s over. You can’t stay on the summit.

Unfortunately, most people will hardly remember what you’ll never forget. 

We need to accomplish our goals. There is nothing wrong with rising to the challenge. There will be joy when you reach the summit.

But it won’t last.

Footprints on the Moon

If you want to do something that lasts, put some footprints on the moon.

Only 12 men have walked on the moon. The first was in 1969, and the last was in 1972. In a short time, they left a lot of footprints.

If you reach the top of Everest, the accomplishment stands. The memories remain, but footprints people left on Everest last year are long gone.

Unlike Everest, the moon has no atmosphere. There is no driving wind or blinding storms on the moon.

The footprints men left on the moon 50 years ago are still there. Theoretically, those footprints will be there forever. 

Footprints that Last Forever

In Matthew 25:31-40, Jesus points us to two footprints we need to leave on our forever. The first is our relationship with Him, and the other is our love for others.

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ 

Matthew 25:31-40 (ESV)

Forever Footprint #1 – Your Relationship with Christ

Jesus sends a strong message that in the end, the only thing that really matters is your relationship with Him. The focus of Matthew 25 is Jesus. He is the Son of Man who comes. Jesus sits on the throne and gathers the nations. He judges the people and separates the sheep from the goats. And ultimately, if you read the passage correctly, the way we relate to others comes down to the way we relate to Him. “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me (Mt. 25:40).”

It’s all about Jesus.

The most important decision any person can make is to repent of sin and turn to Christ for salvation. That decision is like a footprint on the moon. It will last forever.

Forever Footprint #2 – Your Relationship with Others

Matthew 25 is an eternal moment. It is when all we have done for all of time is called into account. And look what lasts. Feeding the hungry, quenching thirst, loving the imprisoned, and healing the hurting are all like footprints on the moon (Mt. 25:35-39). 

There are only two things in this world that will last forever; the Word of God and your eternal soul.

You may have great talent, but what people will remember is how you treated them. People are forever. In Jesus’ name, make an impact on others.

Wasted Lives

And notice the wasted lives of Matthew 25:41-46. These are people who may have climbed lots of mountains. They may have many accolades and achievements. But they had no relationship with Christ, and it is reflected in the way they treated other people.

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Matthew 25:41-46 (ESV)

They may have climbed mountains, but they left no footprints in a forever place.

Climb your mountains, but be sure to do some things that last forever. Leave your footprints on the moon.

Bible Study and Challenge

Read Matthew 25:31-46

• Make a list of principles in this passage to apply to your life.
• What does this passage teach you about Jesus?
• After reading the passage, make a list of sins to avoid.

Do something for someone this week that you may not remember in 10 years, but they will never forget.