Walking is said to offer numerous health benefits to people of all ages. According to health professionals it is said to promote good heart health, lower blood sugar, burn calories, enhance our mood, boost our energy and much more. In short, walking is a good thing. No wonder so many people are doing it. The Fit-Bit craze has taken over and it seems everyone is clocking their steps in an attempt to become more active and lead a healthier lifestyle.
While walking can take many forms, for me, walks with my grandchildren are my most favorite because they have the capacity of leading to great adventure. When mixed with a little imagination we become great explorers on the hunt for the elusive big foot or maybe just a rare jack rabbit or a soaring eagle. The best part is that we are talking, I’m enjoying their presence and they are enjoying mine.
Genesis 3:8 says this:
Then they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
In the beginning, when father God created man and woman, He had an up-close and personal relationship with them. A relationship that included daily fellowship. Adam and Eve enjoyed God’s presence and looked forward I believe to spending time with Him, and God too took pleasure in the beauty of His creation. When we read the account in Genesis, we are not given a specific time frame of events but we do know that It was not unexpected that God would come and walk with them. It was an intrinsic part of their existence. They were his children, created in His image by His own hands, and the breath of life breathed into them by His own mouth. (see Genesis Chapter 2)
And then there was sin, and everything changed. Satan enters the story, Adam and Eve are deceived. Listening to the twisted word of the serpent they abandon truth for a lie. The relationship with their Father is severed by their choice. A failure to obey the Word of the one who created them, and who loved them unconditionally. (See Genesis Chapter 3)
I’m thankful it did not end here. God went on to give them a promised redeemer. One who would bruise the head of the serpent. God offered a restored relationship through His son, our messiah, Jesus Christ. Through Him we have restored relationship to our Heavenly Father.
John 3:16 says:
for God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
And then in Galatians 3:13
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”)
Romans 8:2-4
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
The invitation to know Him does not stop with our confession of faith.
Colossians 2:6 in the Amplified version says it like this:
Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the lord, walk in [union with] Him [reflecting His character in the things you do and say-living lives that lead others away from sin]
It is important for us as believers to walk in union with Jesus. It is essential if we are to recognize his voice, know His character, and become a reflection of Him to others. It is also crucial to realize that apart from Him we are never whole. We are spiritually unfit. If we are not walking with Him we will most likely become sloppy Christians unable to complete the race set before us.
Lifestyle is a choice. Just as we choose to begin living a healthy life-style physically by making wise eating and exercising choices we also must choose to live a healthy life-style spiritually, and again, one of the healthiest things we can do, after making the choice to receive Christ is to walk with Him daily.
Do you want to go on a walk?
PRAYER: Heavenly Father thank you for your son Jesus. Thank you that you have redeemed me from the curse of the law of sin and death. I recognize my need for you, and I ask forgiveness for not prioritizing our time together. Father stir in my spirit a sincere heartfelt desire to spend time in your presence worshiping you and hearing your heart. Teach me to walk each day in fellowship with you.