Come walk with Me

For about ten weeks I had the joy of studying God's Word with a group of women, most of them missionary moms serving in Ecuador. We studied "Children of the Day," a Beth Moore study on I and II Thessalonians. I missed several of the group sessions due to my unpredictable and extra busy schedule with Casa Adalia, but oh the blessing of those sweet afternoons when I could join the others in Esther Borman's living room, sharing together what God is teaching us, sharing our heartaches and frustrations, our times of rejoicing...and praying for one another. How I needed those prayers. I still do!

Here is a beautiful excerpt from the day we studied I Thess 2:12. May you be as encouraged as I was!

You and I can’t walk “worthy of God” when we’re walking alone, no matter how much sin we are dodging. The theology of walking happens in His presence.

The Bible unfolds with an image of God walking among His people and draws to a close with Jesus, His risen Son, doing the same. Between those corresponding divine footprints, hundreds of times and in multiple ways, He bids man “come walk with Me.” To walk “before Him”, as so many verses word the concept, is to live continually God-aware. 

To walk before God is to travel down the highway with your spiritual sunroof wide open. Even when you’re looking straight ahead, hands on the wheel, you know those rays are bathing you in warmth and that wind is cleansing the air. If the clouds are thick and heavy overhead, you know what’s above them. You relish hearing from God, talking to God, and also dwelling in contented secure silence before God, confident that He never budges.

That “secure silence” part is crucial. If misinterpreted, silence can become a one-grave cemetery for intimacy with God. We all have seasons when we don’t’ feel like God is near. They are temporary if we don’t break fellowship and walk off in a huff. Day in, day out, we take Him at His Word.

Come walk with Me. Even with a limp. That’s what Jacob did (Gen. 32:31). Even in the fire. That’s what Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did (Dan. 3:25). Even when we feel like all hope is gone and no one came through. That’s what the two on the road to Emmaus did. (Luke 24:15)

Come walk with Me, whatever shape you’re in, no matter how wounded or bruised. Just bring Me your whole heart – even in ten thousand shards – and let’s walk the rest of this thing out together (2 Chron.6:14). “This is the way; walk in it” (Isa. 30:21). He will never lead you into the path of a freight train, but He’ll meet you in the carnage should you choose that route. He will never veer you from your destiny but, should another path seduce you, He can turn a long, ugly road back home. When you find yourself unwelcome where you thought you’d been sent, He’ll help you move on. If you walk out with Him day to day and season to season, even what seems like the most futile detour will end up taking you to a spot where a piece of your puzzle hides…

Just as Scripture testified that Enoch and Noah walked with God, may huddled angels whisper behind your back when the chronicles of history are complete, “See that woman right there? She walked with God. “ or “See that man right there? He walked with God.” 

Ok, my eyes are filled with tears at the thought of that someday when we will be in the never-ending-glory-land together. They are also filled with tears at the thought of the​ beautiful, extravagant love and grace of Our Jesus. On any given day or moment I can relate to walking with a limp, or facing a fire, or losing hope. Yet, 

because of Him, I am still walking!