In times of hardship, in times of sadness, there is a place the traveler can let his mind return to. Home. I still don't know what kind of a past the traveler abandoned, when he left his home behind. I still don't know what kind of a sorrow he bears. But the traveler can keep walking forward, because he has something which sustains him, a place which accepts him. He can walk forward, step by careful step. Trigun
"It is true, we are but faint hearted crusaders, even the walkers, now-a-days, who undertake no persevering never ending enterprises. Our expeditions are but tours and come round again at evening to the old hearth side from which we set out. Half the walk is but retracing our steps. We should go forth on the shortest walk, perchance, in the spirit of undying adventure, never to return; prepared to send back our embalmed hearts only, as relics to our desolate kingdoms. If you are ready to leave father and mother, and brother and sister, and wife and child and friends, and never see them again; if you have paid your debts, and made your will, and settled all your affairs, and are a free man; then you are ready for a walk... From Henry David Thoreau's Walking
When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. Genesis 5:21-23
Can you imagine what life would be like if we walked with God daily? That's what Enoch did. He stands out in the pedigree of his family line because he remarkably walked with God. For me walking is not always an easy think to do. I am oft in a hurry and will pick-up to jog-speed without hesitation in view of my agenda. I don't want to overly spiritualize this 'walking' that Enoch did. He simply walked with God, and this pleased Him.
God Himself is not unfamiliar with walking as you might imagine. Yet does he walk by while we remain unaware? Or when He walks do we sink down in our fear because we take our eyes of the Saviour and let our attention be taken by the world around us? Would you believe that He is calling out to you and is waiting for a reply?
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?"
He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid." Genesis 3:8-10
Jesus was a phenomenal water-walker, and we too can walk with him there.
During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
"Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." Matthew 14:25-31
Rio! What a busy, busy port.
Much could be written here, but I will point out a few things that stick in my mind. I think some of us are like Peter. We aspire to do some extreme water-walking with Christ in the midst of the windy waters, yet, often our attention is drawn away by the competing distractions of life around us. We then sink like dead weight and cry out for help.
I think some of us are like Adam and Eve. We once walked with the Lord our God in the cool of the day, yet because we are living in sin we have deceivingly been convinced that we are doomed to stay in hiding. The problem is that Adam and Eve may have had reason to be afraid because God they thought they were going to die. Today though, I think that perchance we hide because we are afraid of what the cost of obedience may truly be.
God is calling out. He knows all things and therefore, knew of Adam and Eve's sin before they told them. He still called out to them....and calls out to us.
Today I want to try again to walk with Him.... somedays in the cool of the day and other days in the midst of windy-waters. Today I choose to follow You. Today I choose to hear Your voice and truly live.
Enoch, set the record for walking with God. I too want to be commended as one who pleased God. I want to be one with a faith that trusts that my God is enough for all I want and need so that my eyes will not look away in the midst of windy-waters. I want my walking to be the adventure Thoreau and biblical accounts testify too. I am ready for a walk!!
By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Bottom Line
- How we live our life is a testimony to what we believe about our God. Is He worth the walk?
- Walking with God requires trust/faith. Without it one will sink... but sometimes to grow sinking may be required.
- Walking is not an overly complicated thing. It does require daily disciplines.
- He still is calling out!
