If you are like me, though perhaps you aren't, then you might try to do what you should have been doing in the months and days leading up to a doctor's appointment—lose weight, show that you have met a goal, done the work. This past week, I knew I would have a post-surgery checkup. This surgery was the hip replacement, that prior to surgery, had kept me from walking for nearly two years. One of the things to accomplish post-surgery was to walk! The goal was to be able to walk a mile! For someone who had not been able to walk for many months more than a few painful steps, walking a mile seemed to me more than I could imagine being able to do! And so, I set a goal that I hoped I could meet each day—a mere 2000 steps. That probably doesn't seem like a very big goal if you have the goal of 10,000 steps a day! And I agree it is not! I know some people walk so much that they easily get in 40,000 steps each day! Wow! And I was struggling to get the 2,000 steps goal! I was struggling to make my steps be normal and probably was only walking half a mile. At any rate, I decided that just in case I needed to prove that I could walk to the doctor, I would do my best to show that I could walk more than 3,000 steps several days each week. I concentrated on getting in those steps each day—with an exercise tool/machine, normal activity, walking circles around a table or chairs in the rooms in my house, walking in place—all to get to the goal so I could show the doctor that I was doing my part. Never mind that there had been days when I probably had not done my part as often as I should have. Now I was trying hard to fix my sometimes neglect. So, in trying to fix my neglect with a crash course of walking, I have had lots of time to think about walking.
There are many ways to walk.
Walk to nowhere. Walk in place. Walk in circles. Walk outdoors. Walk indoors. Walk on my glider or treadmill. Walk upstairs, walk downstairs. Walk up uphill, walk downhill. Walk to and fro. Walk upright, walk stooped. Walk with goals, walk for fun, walk for exercise. Walk long distances or a short walk. Walk quickly, walk slowly—fast and slow. Walk with a destination, walk in daily activities, walk and wander. Walk early, walk late. Walk steady and straight, walk like a sailor in rough seas, walk and wobble. Walk steady or walk with a limp and stumble. Walk with a purpose and goal or just walk in place. Walk in nature or walk to a store. Walk across the field or yard to see a friend and walk with a mission in mind. Walk under a waterfall, walk on a bridge, walk under a bridge. Walk across a river, walk through a river. Walk on a rail, walk on a plank. Walk to gain peace, walk to avoid freezing. Walk on ice--walk on thin ice, walk on solid ice. Walking on thin ice for real or proverbial. Walk to lose weight, walk to gain weight/muscle—both were my goals.
Walk and be surprised! One day I was walking on the lane that leads through our farm. As I walked through the tall grass, suddenly a mother quail flew up and under my long denim skirt. I don’t know who was more surprised—me or the mother bird! I do know that walking with God will lead to surprises that He provides me a long the way each day.
As I have rediscovered walking, I have discovered that I was walking like a goose or penguin. I wobbled, waddled, and swayed. It is not a pretty walk. But as I grew stronger, I wobbled less. I want to daily grow stronger in my walk with God. I do not want to wobble but instead walk a steady walk with Him that is strong and steadfast.
There was a time when I was mentally in trouble. And sometimes I just needed to walk and escape. I just wanted to walk alone and just disappear. But even though I didn’t feel His hand in mine, still God did not leave me to wander lost and alone. He stayed there with me and let me find peace, peace that I had to find repeatedly day after day. He never left me even when I wanted to go and be alone.
I have heard about sailors and pirates that were told to walk the plank! Walking the plank meant to walk off the plank and into nothing and ending up in the deep sea and drowned. God does not send me to walk the plank alone into death. He provides a way of safety. On the other hand, He does not want me to walk in place. He wants me to move forward and get closer to the ending place—heaven!
I have thought about walking so much these last few months. I have had to direct my mind to purposely think about walking. It really does seem pointless to walk to nowhere—except that it gets me some much-needed exercise. But I think walking with a purpose is better than walking with no purpose. Walking in circles can be so frustrating. I am sure that Moses thought he was having to lead his people in circles and was frustrated with those he was leading in their long walk. Walking outdoors is better for my mind. I see birds and animal tracks and have kitties to walk with me—things that lead me to see God and His love. Walking with a machine to help with my goal is a little like thinking we are walking with God, when we really are just treading in place. Walking up the stairs or uphill reminds me that I should daily be walking on an upward journey that will take me to Heaven. If I choose to walk down the stairs or downhill, then I am going in a direction that leads away from God—never a good plan!
Walk on water—only possible if I keep my eyes on Jesus! Peter showed me that! Am I walking in the dark or am I walking in the light. l can walk and fall, or walk in safety. This week my brother was walking in the dark. He found out that walking with a light is much safer. I am so glad that I can walk daily with the Light that my walking Partner has given me that keeps me from stumbling and falling and suffering the consequences of falling, ending up bruised and sore and bleeding. Walk with God, or walk with the devil.
Walking in the dark is like walking with the devil. He leads to falling and great hurting. Walking with God is so much safer! Walk with a lifeline or without a lifeline. I am so glad that God is always ready to throw us a lifeline when we are sinking from walking through the storms of life. Walk alone or walk with a partner—partner and pal Jesus!
Not so long ago, I was asked if I used a lifeline when I was walking—one of those items designed to be worn on your body so if there is an emergency, I can push a button and reach someone who can help if I fall. I said no that I had a phone! “Is it always with you?” Well, no, sometimes I forget to take it with me. That answer was not satisfactory and now I have been given a way to keep my phone with me everywhere I go. I have a lifeline as I walk. And that reminds me that I always have a lifeline to God! And I don’t have to wear it. My lifeline is always with me wherever I go! And there is no need to push a button. This week I received medication in both of my knees to aid me in my daily walking. It has been wonderful to be able to walk without the knee pain I have suffered from. It may be temporary, or it may last long. But for now, I am thankful. And then it reminded me that we all need shots of inspiration from the Bible and those shots of inspiration improve our walk with God!
And then there is a daily Walk through the Bible! Have you thought that the Bible leads us on a walk through the history of the world and shows us a better way to walk our daily walking journey? It is a journey through the “narrative” books of the Bible—the ones that tell the story—and present a panoramic view of God’s glorious plan of salvation. There is expert commentary that dives deep into the mysteries of Scripture, unlocking its riches and showing how these inspired words are meant for me.
How can I actually walk with God? I might pray the Lord's Prayer, quote a psalm, or simply walk in His presence, commenting on the beauty around me, asking for guidance, even chuckling over something that has happened in my day, To walk with God means I get in sync with Him, in harmony with Him, it means that I see things the way He sees them. Our grandson spent many weeks walking on his knees. I thought it so unusual. Sometimes we need to walk with Jesus on our own knees. That knee walk is the same as spending time in prayer with Him, letting Him teach us how to walk upright.
I was my father’s walking buddy when we traveled. My mother did not walk with him when he wanted to walk miles but I was more than willing to follow him through the wonders of the national parks like Bryce Canyon and Big Bend National park. I discovered things only possible to me by walking the paths my father took me down. I treasure those memories of walking with my father and I treasure the moments opening my mind to God as I walk with Him. I know my dad started walking with God when he was young and continued to walk with God the rest of his life. His daily life made it obvious to me that he was close to God every day. Another man did the same, and he was known for walking with God. Genesis 5:24 describes Enoch, a descendant of Adam: “Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.”
I don’t know if Enoch was an outspoken man or charismatic, musical or athletic. or quiet and reflective. I know only one thing: Enoch walked with God. This scripture, along with Hebrews 11:5—"It was by faith that Enoch was taken to heaven so he would not die. He could not be found, because God had taken him away. Before he was taken, the Scripture says that he was a man who truly pleased God" and it shows that God and Enoch were so close that God did not let Enoch die; rather, God simply “took him away” to be with Him always (Genesis 5:24). Whatever the meaning, one thing is clear—Enoch’s life was all about relationship with God. Friendship with God. What a legacy! What an ideal walk for me to try to follow. I am afraid that I stumble in my walk and need to grab hold of the hand of my walking partner.
Friendship with God sounds perfect and wonderful, doesn’t it? And yet so many of us aren’t sure how to cultivate that friendship. We long to enjoy prayer, but it can feel intimidating. Formal. And if we’re totally honest, maybe it's even boring. Even though I grew up admiring my dad, I only knew his prayer life as mealtime blessings. And I struggle with praying with my Friend that I am walking with—my prayers have sometimes felt more like duty than close friendship.
When prayers grow distant or stale, it is time to draw inspiration from Enoch’s example and my father’s. Are you, too, longing for more—more emotion, more connection, more partner walk? What if we stopped trying to say the right words and just … spent time with God?
What if you and I stepped outside and turned our “walk with God” into actual walks with God? And as we walked, what if we simply shared our gratitude, our burdens, our insecurities—our heart—with our Father? Maybe pray the Lord’s Prayer, quote a psalm, or simply walk in His presence, commenting on the beauty around, asking for guidance, even chuckling over life’s mishaps.
When we draw close to our heavenly Father, we can enjoy His friendship wherever we go. We don’t have to be on a prayer walk: We can live in constant communion with God, sharing laughs, seeking guidance and giving thanks all throughout each day.
Off we go—me and Dad—my heavenly Dad. We will walk, and talk, and God’s love will hold me close.
Father, it is astonishing that You, the almighty Creator, want to share life with me. Thank You for inviting me into friendship with You. Please teach me to walk with you today and every day!
My walking destination is heaven, a life of eternity walking with Jesus!