Proverbs 13:20: He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.
Walking with someone may take on several forms / meanings; including – support and encouragement, mentorship and guidance, or standing by someone’s cause. Often, this is in the context of a close relationship. (according to Google AI)
In Genesis chapter five, Moses wrote that Enoch “walked with God;” and in Genesis chapter six, verse nine, that “Noah was a righteous man, blameless among his contemporaries; Noah walked with God.” (CSB)
Walking connotes a journey. It is less about the destination; more about the process and the experiences encountered along the way. In our humanity, we strive to “get there.” However, God delights in the relational aspect of our life on earth – in time and space – with us. The unknowable God, wholly ‘other,’ yearns to reveal Himself in this trek through life. He is never in a hurry; and His timing is always perfect.
James 1:2-4: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (BSB)
Romans 5:3-5: …we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. (BSB)
These two passages both elucidate the internal tension between the human soul’s struggle and the resulting fruit of walking through challenging circumstances with our Heavenly Father. Plainly stated, we want out of the struggle. He, knowing the end from the beginning, longs to reveal Himself to us in the midst of trials and sufferings.
He wants to walk with us, through it. He will never leave us or forsake us.
In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, “You gain strength, courage, and confidence every time you stop and look fear in the face. You must do the thing you cannot do.”
And – in what is a beautiful mystery to me – God meets us there, in our willingness. Just as God replied to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, BSB) And, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13, BSB)
The Old Testament contains multiple scriptures involving walking “before,” (2 Kings 20:3); walking “with,” (Genesis 5:22, 5:24, 6:9); walking “in the way,” (1 Kings 16:2); and walking “in the former ways of His father David.” (2 Chronicles 17:3).
In Malachi chapter two, God is rebuking the current priesthood. He called to remembrance the Levitical priesthood, stating, “True instruction was in his mouth, and nothing wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and integrity and turned many from iniquity.” (verse 2, CSB, italics added)
When we walk somewhere, the journey is slower than riding a bicycle or a scooter; and much slower than traveling by car, train, or plane.
When I am walking in the wilderness, through a forest, across an alpine meadow . . . I take in the smell of the pine trees, the sounds of the birds, the thump of my boots across tree roots and rocks, and the panorama of sights; from the delicacy of a dew covered Indian Paintbrush to the majestic panoramic views from a mountain summit.
A slower pace of (internal) life allows us to soak in the elements of the day, to really see and appreciate details that we easily miss when we worry about tomorrow. The richness of the moment is lost in the distractive blur of imaginary “what ifs.”
There really is so much for which to be thankful and grateful, each day.
This is one of the reasons why Jesus encouraged his followers, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34, BSB)
Walking through life as a Christian necessitates daily relationship with God; as well as with the ones He provides us within the body of Christ.
We are to “clothe [our]selves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (Colossians 3:12, BSB),” as we walk with one another. For, “ . . . There is a friend who stays closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24, BSB)
I am blessed to walk with a precious few that I truly call ‘friend.’ We hold up one another’s arms, intercede for one another, ask the hard questions, and love on one another in a myriad of thoughtful ways.
As I walk with God, I am indescribably grateful for the ones He provides to journey through this one life, together.
May your walk with Jesus be a hopeful adventure. He does not disappoint!
