Imagine a 3 year old child walking on the road with his or her mom. What side of the road do you think the mother should walk? Should she walk close to the road and let the child walk by the gutter; that is away from the cars or vice versa? I believe we'll all agree that the mother should let the child walk far away from the cars and she should be at risk instead.
Walking with someone has great advantages. Confidence, security, and you cover great distance.
When with humans we are often worried about who walks at the shoulder of the road or the tip and about incoming dangers. However, in walking With God we do not need to worry.
However, In order to have an effective walk with God I must first agree to walk with Him. Amos 3:3 "Do people walk hand in hand if they aren't going the same place?" (MSG)
I must first recognize that God calls me unto salvation, holiness, and service to Him and mankind.
Secondly, I must respond in faith to His call and believe in faith also. Romans 10:9-10 (MSG)
As I respond in faith I must also trust Him with my all. Proverbs 3:5-8
What must happen as I walk with God:
Submission: If I must walk with God, I must allow Him take the lead, always. He must take the centre stage in my life, allowing Him handle every situation in my life. That is, giving Him a blank check over my life. Jeremiah 29:11 "I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out-plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." God has the master plan for my life. I must let His plan prevail In my life. Someone once said, "If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans."
Obedience: It's one thing to hear a command and it's another to obey. Obedience keeps our relationship with God open and free. For Example: God related with Moses as friend to friend. Obedience to God is in my best interest. It is true freedom even when I do not understand.
There will be distractions:
As I walk with God there's a need for me to stay focused as the Lord takes the Lead.God has power over all things and therefore I must trust Him.
There will be talking and listening:
I must learn to do more of listening to God than of talking. As I walk with God, He's my friend and so I must learn to talk to Him about everything.
I must let God hold my hand:
I must never reach a point in my walk with God where I do not need God to hold my hand. Isaiah 41:10&14 "Don't panic, I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll be your strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you... Do you feel like a lowly worm, Jacob? Don't be afraid. Feel like a fragile insect, Israel? I'll help you. I, God want to reassure you. The God who buys you back, The Holy One of Israel." I must allow Him hold my hand and the journey will be smooth.
There will be pain, suffering, and fear:
These things will definitely come but I must endure because at the end there is reward waiting for me. James 1:2-4. When God allows me face stuff like these, He does that to strengthen me and prepare me for greater challenges. I must rejoice when I face challenges because God is planning something greater. He is refining me, to come out as Gold at the end.
Sometimes pain is necessary to get my attention. There goes the Story of what is done to a sheep who doesn't want to graze in a particular place. Its legs are broken and then it is not left to die but is Carried on the shepherd's shoulders until its legs heals and during that period, enjoys fellowship with the shepherd at that time. It ends up being the closest sheep to the shepherd.
Sometimes pain also tests our commitment to God.
Pain is necessary for growth. It humbles us to experience his great power an d grace as he works in us. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
There will be waiting:
Psalm 27:14 "Stay with GOD! Take heart. Don't quit. I'll say it again. Stay with GOD." Psalm 40:1 "I waited and waited and waited for GOD. At last he looked; finally he listened." Lamentations 3:25-27
I must learn to wait patiently for God; He will never leave me hanging.
There will be warfare:
Ephesians 6:11-13 (MSG) I must be prepared always for battle. No resting because the evil one never rests.
There will be surprises:
I can never predict God's next move. I must expect surprises from God during our walk. Our minds are blinded by logic but Gods ways are not my ways so I must just follow Him and let Him take the lead.
I need to be humble:
James 4:6
Humility is very important as I walk with God. I must be ready for correction and be willing to accept correction and humbly obey God's commands. When I choose to be humble, God will supply grace.
I need to be hopeful:
Hebrews 11:1-2 "The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we cant see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd." Lamentations 3:19-24
If I do not understand, I must just trust God and respond in faith. Romans 8:28 "That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good." (MSG)
Walking with God assures me of Solace, peace, and good eternal destination.
It is continuous until I reach my final destination which is heaven.
Those who walk with God have nothing to regret but have everything to rejoice, including the good bad and ugly, the pain and suffering. God will never harm me intentionally. Lamentations 3:31-33.
I must not worry when I walk with God, He has got it covered. There is an expected end.
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