There
are quite a few mind-twisting concepts, statements, and words in the Bible such
as "propitiation," "sanctification," and "regeneration."
If you think those are relatively tame, I challenge you to tackle the book of
Revelation.
But,
seriously, despite these things, I feel there is still one
word not many have thought about as being a difficult
word to understand, comprehend, and live out. I am talking about
the word "walk." So you respond, "are
you kidding? The word 'w-a-l-k' as in 'putting one foot in front of the
other?'" Yes, THAT word.
After
all, “walking” is referenced well over 200 times in the Bible. The first
reference to walking comes as early as Genesis 3:8, where Adam and Eve “heard
the Lord God walking about in the Garden in the cool of the evening.” Also, one
of the most preached “walking story” of Jesus is the post-resurrection event of
traveling along with the two disciples on the road towards Emmaus.
For
us, walking is obviously one of the Bible’s most vivid metaphors for how godly
people should live. In a positive way, it shows us how to “walk in newness of
life” and how to “walk” on the right paths and how to avoid walking along the wrong paths of the world.
Yet,
in the end, all this “pedestrian talk” as a Christian, is hard and takes
committed effort. It is challenging. It takes great discipline, obedience,
surrender and sacrifice. So, the walking that I am talking in this BLOG is about walking
with God.
I
am talking about having such a deep, devoted, personal, intimate and loving
relationship with God that you can truly and
honestly walk with your heavenly Father spiritually and physically every moment
of your life.
Adam
and Eve walked with God in the cool of the day. Enoch walked with God (Genesis
5:22) as did Noah (Genesis 6:9). THIS is why "walk" is the hardest
word to understand. The fact that the Creator of the universe wants to be more
than "just God" to me...more than just "up there in
Heaven."
One
of God's greatest desires is for us to come near...close...even closer. James 4:8 tells us, “Come
close to God, and God will come close to you….” Am I willing to get
"up close and personal" with God or have I come too comfortable
staying at a distance?
May we discover a whole new meaning to the word
"walk" when it involves deepening and strengthening our relationship
with God. Blessings to you along the journey.