The Daily Walk

Those of you who have been receiving the “teEn-MAIL” for a while, please pardon another focus drawn from my daily walks. It’s just that I have been reminded on so many occasions of the importance of taking time for others ALONG THE WAY. You see, in our small community I have developed a reputation as “The Walker.” Besides this title some have given me I have also been called or referred to as “ The 19th Street Walker” (which is better than being known as the 19th Street Stalker), the “Walking Man”, the “Walking Pastor”, “The Flash”, “Speed Walker”, “Our Walker”, and the “Happy Walker”. A few days ago while riding my bicycle to run some errands (having already had my usual Tuesday morning walk of 17.6 miles, Tuesdays being my day off), a man who has frequently greeted me pulled up alongside me on his electric scooter and stated his shock to see me riding instead of walking. He asked if I had gotten “bunions” on my feet. I have also had people tell me (after seeing me driving), “I didn’t know you owned a car.” People in the grocery store have come up to my wife and I and stated they had never seen me moving that slow. Having lived in this community now for 21 years, and having continued with a regular walking routine for about 3, it is hard to go anywhere without someone recognizing me. I must remain on my best behavior. However, that has created an easy connection point for conversation with others.

I’m reminded of a missionary who was offered a car to enable him to cover more ground, get places quicker, and therefore do more work. However, this missionary declined the offer, pointing out that if he had a car he would pass up opportunities to connect with people ALONG THE WAY. Walking and riding his bicycle brought him into contact with people with whom he was able to share the Gospel as he traveled from place to place.

With the hectic pace of life it can be so easy to rush right past those ALONG THE WAY with whom we might otherwise be able to share the Good News of Christ and encourage. Though my walking on a daily basis has kept me in good health and saved money on gas for the car, it has brought me directly into contact with people I might not have ever met otherwise. These encounters have given me the opportunity to offer either needed counsel and encouragement, or provided the opportunity to talk about the church and the truth of God’s Word. I don’t know what the end of all these encounters might eventually be, but I keep walking and keep sowing and know God will bring the fruit where the soil has been right. I just need to remain open to allowing God to use me in whatever ways He provides the opportunities.

This past week I had the opportunity ALONG THE WAY to offer council to a young woman who has gone through some tough times. Last week I was presented the chance to move the conversation much deeper with another woman I had encountered many times before. She asked about my work as a minister and complained that where she attended the focus seemed to be more like a “business” than a church. What she saw was a lack of focus on people and providing the spiritual encouragement and support needed. We talked at length regarding the Lord’s church being like a family and a body and what those concepts should mean. I also stated my willingness to sit down with her to discuss the Scriptures further. Though she thanked me for my willingness she did not accept the offer (at least for now), but I trust we will talk again.

When Jesus was left in Jerusalem and his parents found Him, He responded…
“And he said to them, ‘Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I MUST BE IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE?’” ( Luke 2:49 ESV)

The footnoted alternate translation in the English Standard Version is, “about MY FATHER’S BUSINESS.” That is the way it is also translated in the King James Version and the New King James Version. The literal idea seems to be that of Jesus’ focus being on the affairs or the things of the Father. Isn’t that what our life ought to be about? ALONG THE WAY there are opportunities to connect with others in very meaningful ways. We need to guard against becoming so rushed in life that we race right on past others with whom we might be able to share the things of God.

Some of my walking is actually to get somewhere. However, even when I am on one of my endurance walks, I have found it to be a fruitful experience to go ahead and stop and talk when the opportunity has presented itself ALONG THE WAY. May we each be open to the ways in which God can use us a His servants as we continue our daily walk in Christ.

Have a great day MINDFUL OF GOD’S BUSINESS AS WE GO!
Carl

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