Walk

Walk

“As the Lord has called every man, so let him walk.”

—I Cor. 7:17

There are 6 different Greek words used in the New Testament for the word “walk.” The one used most frequently in the Gospels and the book of Acts is peripateo. Rather than referring to the act of walking, it has to do with how one is to live one’s life. For example, Paul encouraged the Ephesians (4:1) to “walk (live) in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.” Similarly, he told the Colossians to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of the Lord.”

Our walk has to do with the whole of our life. Do you ever notice how some people walk. Some have a rather dignified walk. Some stroll. Others stride. And still others saunter. But, have you ever noticed someone walking with their shoulders down, a little hunched over, head down, arms loosely hanging to their side, rather pathetic isn’t it? Clearly, I am describing someone who is carrying a load, a burden of some kind, and their walk depicts it really well.

I have never been in a beauty pageant, not surprisingly, but I can appreciate the contestants must walk as though they believe they are supposed to be there. Can you imagine someone walking across the stage fearfully, wondering how she ever got there in the first place, thinking she has no right to be on the stage with all the other contestants? Do you think she would have a chance to win the contest? Don’t you think her walk would reflect her view of herself?

What about your walk? What does it reflect? When others observe you, do they see someone carrying a heavy burden? Or do they see a spring in your step? Do they see a person who appears to be pulling a ball and chain or someone who moves graciously, freely, like a butterfly flitting from place to place?

While it isn’t everything, our posture can say something about our hearts, our state of mind, or our disposition. What does your walk have to say about you and about your life? If we are walking close to the Lord, our posture should reflect it. If you think about it, we have every reason to walk with our heads held high, our shoulders back, strutting, strolling, moving forward with confidence and a boldness in our step. But, many of us walk as though we are walking barefoot on a road made of gravel.

We need to remind ourselves the Lord Himself has gone before us. He has already prepared the way before us. Surely, if He has called us, He will make it possible for us to walk in the way He is leading. Solomon wrote, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight (Prov. 3:6).” In addition, Isaiah writes, “The path of the righteous is level; you, the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth (26:7).”

There is really nothing for us to fear. Let us walk confidently. We have been called. Onward Christian soldier! Walk!

When you see this sign of the little man in a posture of walking, do you walk? Often, there is even the word “walk” below it, granting permission for us to proceed.

Have you ever doubted if it really meant for you to walk? Of course not, but many of us doubt what we are told in the Word of God.

We are told to walk and to walk in a certain way. Walk, Paul tells us, “in a manner worth of your calling.” We are not told to walk in a way that reflects our worthiness, because we are not worthy. In fact, Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians was that God would make them worthy of His calling (2 Thess. 1:11). It isn’t even left up to us. God makes us worthy. We are told to walk in a way that reflects the honor that has been bestowed upon us.

We don’t deserve the calling placed upon us, but it is ours, the Lord has decreed it. We are called. Let us walk in a manner “worthy of our Lord.”

There are multiple verses referring to what a walk like that would look like. The following are just a few. Lectio divina is a way of reading Scripture, but more than that, it is a way of allowing the Scripture to shape and form you even more into the image of Christ. Do a web search to find a method of lectio divina that suits you best and use it as you reflect upon these Scriptures or make use of the one in Appendix A.

Ps. 1:1—“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked.”

Prov. 1:16—“My son, do not walk in the way with them (sinners), hold back your foot from their paths.”

2 Cor. 5:7—“…for we walk by faith and not by sight.”

Gal. 6:16—“Walk by the Spirit; and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”