There are times in life when walking and running are impossible, and it can be discouraging to think of these things when they are not physically possible for us. Does the Bible have anything to say to those who are unable to walk or run? How do we identify with the Christian journey if we are immobile, housebound through age or infirmity, limited in movement through disability or illness, paralysed or without limbs? If we can’t walk or run to God, can we still reach Him?
The answer is a resounding YES! When we are unable to walk or run, God carries us. This is how we enter the world: a helpless baby who has to be carried everywhere. This is often how we leave the world: too weak or ill to walk, wholly dependent on others and equipment to move us. And in between, on those days when we feel we just can’t carry on, God carries us.
‘When every step is so hard to take
And all of my hope is fading away
When life is a mountain that I can not climb
You carry me, Jesus carry me
You are strength in my weakness
You are the refuge I seek
You are everything in my time of need
You are everything, You are everything I need.’ (‘Everything I Need’, Kutless)
‘When the path is daunting
And every step exhausting
I’m not alone
I’m not alone, no, no
I feel you draw me closer
All these burdens on my shoulder
I’m not alone, I’m not alone
You pull me me from this place
Hallelujah
You carry me every day
You carry me all all the way
Hallelujah
You carry me to the
You carry me to the cross.’ (‘Carry Me To The Cross’, Kutless)
The famous poem ‘Footprints’ makes the point that when we only see one set of footprints, that is when God carried us:
Moses reminds us ‘the eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.’ (Deut 33:27) He knew that in the wilderness ‘the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.’ (Deut 1:31) Isaiah tells us ‘He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.’ (Is 40:11) Jude reminds us that God is able to keep us from falling and to present us before His glorious presence withut fault and with great joy. (Jude v24). The good news is that we are safe in God’s arms (‘Safe’, Phil Wickham; ‘Arms’, Tim Hughes; ‘Rest In The Arms’, Aaron Shust) and when we are unable to walk or run, there is One whose arm is mighty to save (Is 59:1) and whose arms can carry us.