To Walk Alone or With Jesus
Elaine De Jager
How many of you walk? Some of you may walk daily outside or in a gym. Others may walk their dogs regularly. Others may walk with a friend. Others may just like to walk alone so they can think and observe what is going on around them.
If you walk alone, you have time to look around you and either question what you see or are amazed at what God has created or given you. This is my Father’s world. You have time to think about your life and your future, and struggle with the answer, or make plans for the day or week ahead. For some, walking alone, you can chat on your cell phone to people in private, with only the birds to hear you. Heated discussions can occur where nobody can hear you or make comments. Only God knows.
Some people walk with a walker so they can have some freedom from the inside. Time to reflect on their health and where they are heading. Some walk with a white cane, trusting all will be safe and well as they listen to what’s around them and even chat with a friend. His eye is on the sparrow, so He is surely watching over you.
Have you ever walked in your garden alone? While the dew is still on the roses? And the voice you hear is one from above, where someone is watching, listening, and caring for you? He speaks to you so clearly and sweetly that the birds stop their singing. Is this a place where He can walk with you and talk to you and tell you, you are His own? And it brings joy, and deep down in your heart, you feel relief and comfort in knowing someone cares deeply for you with no strings attached.
Have you ever felt a light in your step when you walk with Jesus? And He tells you to know more about Him by reading His Word and accepting the many promises He has for you? ‘Tis so sweet to walk with Jesus.
Have you ever walked along the Stream of Hope, looked into the clear blue water, and seen yourself? Then you see another presence in the mirror of water, and an unshakeable peace fills you? You feel the pressures mentally and physically roll away as you focus on His presence? Then….the water ripples, but the picture stays the same.
Have you ever walked through the Valley of the Shadow of Death? You had a major surgery planned and didn’t know if you would survive it? Or, you were waiting for the results of a biopsy or other kinds of serious tests that would determine your future? Have you ever walked through the Valley of Death with a loved one? One you knew was dying, and you could only stand by, holding their hand, praying, and giving them over to God? Then you remember Psalm 23, where it says you will fear no evil, for His rod and staff will comfort you?
Have you ever walked until you wanted to faint and found out someone else was carrying you? What a relief to know someone cared for you because you couldn’t. Carried you close to His heart.
Have you ever walked the walk of faith, when you trusted no one but God and believed His promises? You felt an unseen person walking with you, guiding you, giving you encouragement, direction, and His blessing? His love surrounded you, and you felt safe. Have you ever found yourself walking on water with Jesus at your side, and your eyes focused on Him only?
Did you walk closely beside Jesus as he walked up the hill to Golgotha? Carrying a heavy load of the cross (the sins of the world) on His shoulders? As you gazed into His pain-filled loving eyes, telling you He was going to the cross to pay for your/my sins?
Did you stand at the cross and touch His bleeding feet that were secured to the wood by your nails? Did you hear Him say, “It is finished,” and felt the thick darkness, and felt the ground moving beneath your feet, and heard the curtain rip from top to bottom? You looked up and saw the crown of thorns falling away and being replaced with the crown of a King? You fell to your knees, raising your hands and saying, “Thank you, Jesus, for being my Lord and King and setting me free!”
Dear friend, if you are listening to the one who walks with you, you will find your steps matching the steps of the Master.
The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. - Psalm 121:7-8