May We Walk Well

Confession:  I am not a runner.  It’s funny, but the older I get the more and more I am OK with this fact.

Favorite French Pastime

At times, it can seem that the entire population is out enjoying this activity whether it be for leisure or for exercise.   However, I often will think to myself how easy various athletes make this sport look.  Just watching their elegant gaits as they jog down the street, I begin to imagine to myself that possibly this popular exercise could be in my future.  

But then reality strikes hard and fast. Delightful visions of taking in so much of the countryside as I personally jog past it are quickly put to rest.  And so happily instead, John and I lead up our dog, Tzatziki, and set out for an enjoyable brisk walk around our small neighborhood.

Walking is a favorite pastime here in France. 

• There is the daily leisurely walk for one’s dog;
• or the stroll to the local market to pick up daily food supplies;
• or every now and again a “speed walker” can be seen trying to bring up their heart rate for maximum physical advantage. 

How Does God Call Us to Walk?

But as my thoughts settle on all of the walking that consumes my daily life right now, I am finding my attention turning over and over again to the spiritual encouragement found in the Scriptures about this very topic.  As I mull over various passages, I have been highlighting those that have stood out to me. And over time, I have turned these verses into a prayer for myself, my family and for those who are my family ‘in Christ.’  

My hope is that as I share of this prayer with you possibly in some way it would encourage you in your own prayer life. Or even perhaps as you are out walking in your own daily endeavors, you will think of us and pray for our ministry here in France asking God that we would continue to walk well, remaining steadfast and walking worthy …

With our only goal being that Christ is glorified

Heavenly Father, the Apostle John writes, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth”. (3 John 4)  

Lord, may we walk in Your truth. 

But may we not only be found walking in Your truth, may we continually walk in the freedom that Your truth provides, not enslaved by all the baggage that so easily weighs us down, because it is
“for freedom that Christ has set us free.” (Galatians 5:1) 

May Your truth pervade every fiber of our lives and lead us

And as we walk, Lord, may we not only live by the Spirit, but may we also choose to walk by the Spirit, so that we will not gratify the desires of our own flesh.  (Galatians 5:16, 25)

The world speaks so loudly, Lord, as to what “truth” is,
but may your Spirit guide us as we continue walking out our days. 

And Father, just as the Apostle Paul prayed for those in Colossae,
may we “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,
fully pleasing to Him,
bearing fruit in every good work
and increasing in the knowledge of God.”

I know one day, Lord, our walking here on earth will be done
and so I ask of You that we will be able to continue to walk well, while we are here. 

​Please, Heavenly Father,
go before us,
remain as our “rearguard” behind us,
stand to our left and to our right,
undergird us with Your strong right hand
and may we know that You are singing sweet songs of deliverance over us …

until we are together with You in Glory.   Amen.