I like to walk so I can stay strong—and because I find it refreshing. My walk of faith is like that, too, because it’s a journey I’m taking with the Lord. “Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?” (Amos 3:3). Faith begins when we agree to travel on the Lord’s path instead of our own. “And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands” (2 John 1:6).
We choose to head in the same direction and elect to walk in step with Him. Every day requires a new decision to stay on the same path.
When my family and I are out on a hike, we’re observant and watchful for shifts in the weather. “Look!” we say, “There are thick clouds moving in. We’d better head for shelter.” It’s even more important to take notice of dark thoughts on the horizon of our hearts. Negative energy from loneliness, frustration, anxiety and fear is something to watch for in its warning stages, before a storm hits.
When we see the clouds of dark feelings lurking ahead, we can label them and leave them behind. Sometimes I even do this out loud! “I see you there waiting, loneliness, and I will not let you be master of my life!” Then I pray for strength to move on and re-focus on God’s love. The Psalmist wrote, “My eyes are ever toward the LORD…” not toward what brings us down (Psalm 25:15).
My father encouraged everyone to tap into God’s life-giving power and creativity every day, so that our eyes get used to recognizing His light. I find the best way to do this is to make meditation and prayer part of my daily routine. Reading spirit-lifting books, listening to soothing music and talking to faith-filled friends helps lift my eyes to the Lord, too.
There’s enough darkness in the world; I want to surround myself with positive influences! They give me the encouragement and energy I need to “walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous” (Proverbs 2:20). How comforting to know that even when we go off the path, God can find us and bring us back!
Sometimes God’s will is clear and precise, like a GPS device giving directions. Other times we simply have a general sense of which way He wants us to head. When we’re new Christians, we’re often flooded with grace and the signposts are clear. We are strengthened in the Lord, and walk easily in His name (Zechariah 10:12). As we grow in faith, God expects us to take on more of the responsibility for keeping ourselves headed in His direction.
We, of course, will always need God’s help to walk in His ways. And the good news is that He’s always there to support and guide us. We just have to keep walking!
