trbccoffeebreak

“Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.”  Genesis 5:24 (ESV)

Crisp autumn mornings and evenings are the best time to grab some outdoor time and get our steps in for the day. So, is there really something magical about hitting the 10,000 steps each day? While the exact number of steps varies research does show a wide range of benefits. Brisk walking improves our cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and overall mental health.  And while we’re getting into a consistent stride, we are improving the way our body uses oxygen which is essential in helping us maintain a strong heart. As we age, we desperately need to maintain strong bones and muscles – gotta keep that body moving.

While the physical benefits are amazing, walking is a great way to relieve stress and reset our minds. Nothing better than a brisk walk to clear our thoughts, elevate our mood and cultivate a refreshed mindset.

Walking in the Old and New Testament most often referred to as “halak” indicated a journey with a destination. Yet counting steps isn’t the type of walking journey God was interested in; He was referring to a person’s life and behavior that aligned with His image. From the very beginning of creation, God initiated this beautiful invitation. He desired to walk in close fellowship with man developing an ongoing vibrant relationship – a journey of faith like no other – a total transformation of the created to reflect their Creator.

Right in the middle of a long list of genealogies in Genesis 5, we find one who walked with God. Despite the prevailing darkness of sin which erupted quickly in Genesis,   Enoch intentionally chose to be different – to live a righteous life that was pleasing to God (Hebrews 11). While the generations before him died and the ones after him eventually died, Enoch walked with God and was spared from death – God miraculously took him home. Along with the prophet Elijah (2 Kings 2), these two were the only ones God whisked away to heaven never to taste death.

Wouldn’t it be incredible if we were described as women who walked with God? What if our relationship with Him was so intertwined that people only saw our God in us rather than seeing us. Despite the prevailing darkness in our world today, what does this walking with God look like?

It all begins with entering into an intimate relationship with God through faith in His Son (Hebrews 10:22). When our heart longs to please Him, we will spend time in God’s word and seek to be doers of His word and not just hearers. We will live our days prioritizing faithfulness to His commands. We will enjoy sweet ongoing conversations with our God. We will confess sin quickly so there are no hindrances to our relationship. We will seek with our whole heart to avoid wrong and walk in His ways (Psalm 119:2-3) in total agreement with God about our choices. We will actively seek to eliminate anything that does not enhance our walk with Him (Hebrews 12:2). Our desires will be in alignment with His (Galatians 2:20) – totally in sync. Glorifying God in all that we do regardless of the cost will always serve us well.

Sound impossible? It is if we rely on self. But if we lean into the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit living within us, we can be women who passionately walk with God. And for those moments when we find ourselves out of sync with Him, we can quickly confess and seek His forgiveness. Oh the beauty of grace showered upon us in those moments – a relationship restored – a journey with a destination of pleasing God all of our days.

“Father, there is no relationship that satisfies like the one we can have with You. Help us to live our lives in a way that shines bright of Your love and truth even in a world characterized by darkness.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life