From our first tottering steps as a toddler, walking is an integral part of most people’s lives. Even those who don’t like running and would never enter a gym or a marathon will walk most days, and walking is a great form of exercise, as well as a practical necessity for most of us!
Walking is another metaphor used to describe our journey of faith. Paul tells us to walk (or live) by the Spirit (Gal 5:16). Isaiah says ‘walking in the way of Your laws, we wait for You; Your name and renown are the desires of our heart’ (Is 26:8) and reminds us ‘whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will ear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”‘ (Is 30:21) The writer to the Hebrews urges us to strengthen our feeble arms and weak knees (more evident as we age!), saying ‘make level paths for your feet.’ (Heb 12:12-13) There are frequent references to keeping in step with God’s Spirit and on the right path (e.g. Prov 4:25-26), and it’s clear we need not only to walk by faith and not by sight, but must ensure we are on the right path (following Jesus who is the Way, Jn 14:6).
Walking with someone is very different to walking alone. Our local walking group will be leaving Cherry Tree Court on Friday morning at 10 a.m. and this kind of group provides a chance for conversation as well as exercise and the discovery of the local area.
Jesus often walked with His disciples (think of that conversation on the road to Emmaus, for example!) and it’s worth remembering on this journey of life that we do not walk alone. It’s not just football fans who can sing ‘You’ll never walk alone!’ This is the testimony of every believer:
‘Never once did we ever walk alone.
Never once did You leave us on our own.
You are faithful, God, You are faithful.’ (‘Never Once’, Matt Redman)