Watch Your Step!

The illustration of walking is a common one throughout the Bible. In Paul’s era, most people did a lot of walking every day. Paul encourages the Galatians to “walk in the Spirit” (5:16). He encourages the Romans in chapter eight to “walk in the Spirit.” In Ephesians five, the church is encouraged to “walk in love.” The Psalmist said, “I will walk in my integrity” (Psalm 26:11). John encourages his reader to “walk in the light” (I John 1:7). But we must take steps to ensure that our walk lines up with our talk. Truly walking in the Spirit means that our walk does match our talk. Martin Luther is quoted as saying, “Christians don’t tell lies, they sing them.” Our lives must reflect the lines of the choruses we sing and the lives we live behind closed doors.

The concept of walking is equated with activities of daily living for both men and women. For example, people are often warned that they are “walking on thin ice.”  Folks jog, sprint, sashay, amble and stroll. People walk for exercise, to lose weight and to relieve stress. One half-hour of walking burns about 200 calories. If you do this for a year, you will lose fifteen pounds without changing your eating habits. Walking helps the digestive system. Walking improves blood circulation in the legs. Walking improves the circulatory system and helps your breathing, lowers high blood pressure and improves muscle tone. It stimulates your thinking through increased brain arterial circulation. It helps fight depression and can lead to a longer life.
Walking adds life to your years and years to your life.                                                                                 

But there are two things required for a person to walk: balance and sight. Jesus commands us to walk a narrow path and that the broad road will lead to destruction (Matthew 7:13).

Enoch and Noah are both said to have “walked with God” (Genesis 5:24 and 6:9). We are not to “walk in darkness” and stumble but to “walk in the light” (I John 1:7). We are encouraged not to “walk in the flesh” but rather to “walk as He walked” (Romans 8:4 and I John 2:6). But His walk up Calvary’s hill was a harder walk than any walk you may take. To truly walk as He walked includes picking up our cross daily and following in His steps.

Maxim of the Moment

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it, you will land among the stars. - Les Brown