Walking with God, Part One

Grace Moment by Moment-monthly column
Since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, God has expressed His Grace through His creation and wooing of humanity. From earliest times until now, God desires to have a personal relationship with people. A relationship that begins when we ask forgiveness for sin, believe Jesus has the authority to forgive our sin, and receive Him into our lives as Lord and Savior. When we do, Jesus gives us the strength and Grace to meet each day's challenges as they come. To "walk with God" is an expression of our faith and trust in God that while we may not understand or accept what circumstances we fall in, "we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)
Walking with someone implies a willingness on our part to better ourselves, through exercise or good health, as a stress relief or to get away from something we don't want to face. Too often, we wear devices like an iPod w/headphones, or a CD player so we don't have to think. Yet, that is when we miss opportunities to dwell on the beauty that surrounds us in nature or the times we could contemplate what God has done in our lives. It is also when we stop listening to God and talking to Him that our spirit shrivels, our strength dries up and our growth to maturity stops.
"How can we change this about ourselves?" you ask. Well, I have a challenge for you.
Until I post my next column practice the art of Prayer Walking. Leave the iPods and CD players at home, take a friend and a journal or notebook w/pen or pencil with you and spend fifteen minutes a day listening to nature, noticing what goes on around you. As you strengthen your body, you'll notice a quiet stillness fill your mind and soul. Ask God what He wants you to do for Him, then write it down. Meditating on His Word (the Bible) as you walk orders your mind, clears away confusion, tangled thoughts and emotions. You will be surprised how refreshed and invigorated you feel afterward. Send some comments to me.
I will check before I post my next column to see what you have to say. God bless!