An old Irish proverb states that many things can be resolved by a good sleep or a cup of tea! I would also add in a long walk!
I’ve always enjoyed walking – ever since I took my first steps on my first birthday. As a child I walked Patch our dog. I often chose to walk home from secondary school & was introduced to hiking there by the Duke of Edinburgh! Recently, I climbed Slieve Binnian for the first time with Caris & revisited the circular path past Blue Lough again with Ethan. The views across mountain peaks & reservoirs are spectacular & apparently inspired the chronicles of Narnia!
Just now, we’re in Orta, north Italy & have been strolling along the lake. The Italians have a special word for this- passeggiata.
Of course often what makes a good walk even better is the company!
Walking with God has been a Biblical theme since the start of time. In the very beginning before the fall, God walked in the Garden of Eden with Adam & Eve. A few chapters later, after sin had entangled the world God created with love, we read of Enoch ‘walking in close fellowship with God.’ (Genesis 5:24 NLT)In the next chapter we read that Noah also ‘walked in close fellowship with God.’
(Genesis 6:9 NLT)
And today, God invites us to walk through life with Him. It is our decision whether we accept this invitation to draw near. We have a choice:
‘Thus says the Lord:
“Stand by the roads, and look,
and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way is; and walk in it,
and find rest for your souls.”
But they said, “We will not walk in it.”
(Jeremiah 6:16-NIV)
But what does God want us to do?
‘He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?’
(Micah 6:8-NIV)
‘For all the peoples walk,
each in the name of its god,
but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God
forever and ever.’
(Micah 4:5-NIV)
We cannot change life’s pace or God’s timing but we are in the grip of God’s grace throughout this hike of life! We can stroll with our Creator, our Father God day by day, step by step -or ippo ippo as they say in Japan- one step at a time.
‘May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you [filling your heart with the spiritual well-being and serenity experienced by those who walk closely with God].’
(Jude 1:2 AMP)
Blessings,
Ruthx
Blessed! 