02/15/2020
How often do you walk with a God? I am not talking about just reading the Bible, attending church, performing works such as feeding the hungry, or praying your needs to Him, but how often do you actually walk with him in conversation? Sometimes we get so busy doing things, and saying things of faith, that we forget that this is not a checklist, or a job, it is a loving relationship, we are children, and that some walks with Him, if we choose to take them, take hours, days, weeks, or longer.
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Micah 6:8 ESV
I was at my 2nd grade granddaughter’s school for Grandparent’s Day, and I was able to meet her teacher, see her classroom, witness what she was doing each day in her studies, and then to end the day I had lunch with her. All of the classroom work, and teaching strategy, was not only impressive, but reminded me how busy and stressful her day really was. Even at this early age she was being conditioned to work, to do, and to say, the things that would form her future work life, but the best part of the day came when we left the classroom and went to the cafeteria. She took my hand, and as we walked together to the cafeteria, we talked about her artwork that was taped to the hallway wall. She was very proud of it, and I was praising her ability to draw. Then we went through the food line to get our lunches, and sat talking about what she liked most about school as we ate. I could have sat there looking at her, and speaking with her, for hours, but a loud bell rang, the principle’s voice came over the intercom, and after a quick goodby, her busy day began again. All the grandparents were thanked for coming, for donating to the teacher’s fund, and ushered quickly out the door. My brief visit, and time of conversation had ended.
As I walked slowly to my car I thought back on the morning, all I had seen, and the glow on my granddaughter’s face as she showed me her artwork on the wall, and told me proudly about all she did there in school. Then I was saddened by how rushed and intense her day was, and wished there had been more time for us to walk, and talk together. Later, as I read scripture, I was similarly reminded of my walks and time spent with God. The words He spoke regarding Levi brought this to mind...
“True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.”
Malachi 2:6 ESV
Walking and talking with God is so important. This action with Him takes all the worldly portions of our life and reshapes them into divine conversation... the basis for lessons in righteousness, and in understanding the will of God for us. These times are instructional, restful, and peaceful, for us, and a Pleasure, and joy for Him.
“Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face, who exult in your name all the day and in your righteousness are exalted.”
Psalms 89:15-16 ESV
As I thought back about Grandparent’s Day, walking with my granddaughter, and my own walks each day with God, it was impressed on me how little time I actually spent in true conversation with Him. Oh I prayed all day long, but so many of those were requests, not conversations, and the times I often counted as conversational were mostly about me talking, and then spending very little time listening... it convicted me. How often had I heard the bell ring, and walked away from an incomplete conversation?
“Why do you contend against him, saying, 'He will answer none of man's words'? For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds, then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings, that he may turn man aside from his deed and conceal pride from a man;”
Job 33:13-17 ESV
God speaks. He answers us, but do we know how to listen? Do we know when one conversation has ended and another begun? We have been taught to rush through life, and to abhor silence. When the pause is more than a second or two we move on, but more often than not God converses with us in days or even months... not seconds, and we walk away from so many unfinished walks, and conversations. To take a walk with God we must learn to match His stride, and if we are going to have a conversation with Him we need to know how to listen; how to hear Him.
“Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God."”
John 8:47 ESV
In my opening paragraph, when I asked how often you walked with God, it was a bit of a trick question. Sometimes we take several short little walks in a single day, but then there are those long walks that span days, weeks, months, or even years. In my example, I visited my granddaughter’s school for half a day, but our walk together lasted less than an hour of that time. Each walk is unique, and when those walks are with God they will be at His pace, and He will control the conversation.
“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
Psalms 27:14 ESV
So are you walking with God right now? Are you taking a series of short walks, or are you on a long journey together? Do you hear His voice, or are you too impatient, or untrained, to listen? These are questions we should each ask ourselves as we search out our salvation; listening for his voice, and matching His stride... He does walk with us, and He speaks to those that would hear.
“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." And he said to them, "Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.”
Mark 4:23-24 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for walking with me as I seek to follow in the way that pleases you, and thank you Holy Father for speaking with me as we travel together. Give me the strength to match your stride Lord, and teach my ears to hear your voice. Help me to have patience during those times when the only sound I hear are our footfalls. Reassure me in those times when our conversation goes silent, and we walk lovingly, and confidently in the strength of our relationship alone. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who walks, and talks with me. Great are you whose patience tolerates my unsteady gait, and inability to listen. I praise your name Father because your mercy and grace allows me to return to you when I have wandered astray, or talked over you in conversation. Your love reaches out to me, and your goodness paves the road ahead. All glory is yours at the end of every journey we take, and each conversation in which your wisdom is poured over me. You are my God, my redeemer, my provider, and constant companion as I travel in conversation towards eternity with you.
“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
Lamentations 3:25-26 ESV
Rich Forbes