Walking Vs. Finishing a List

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A friend called this morning and is going through a tough time. She made the statement, “I wish God would just text me what to do!”  I have felt like that many times as a woman, a wife, a mother, and a friend. I love lists. I can do things one at a time systematically, then mark them off with a flourish when each task is done. At the end of the day I can look at my list and feel a sense of accomplishment. But lists don’t require relationship. That’s why walking vs. finishing a list is God’s way. Each step He is there with us, and we can develop a closer relationship with Him through trust, faith, and wisdom. Here, Hannah and Jordyn enjoy walking with their Grandpa Tracy.

When we go camping and the middle of the night urge hits to get to the bathroom, I take my flashlight and hurry down the path to the state park building with purpose in mind. I find it quickly because my flashlight can light up many feet in front of me. God’s Word and His relationship with us is more like having a lantern. The lantern shines on my next step, but not until I take that step do I see clear to take the next one, and the next, and the next. I have to walk vs. finishing a list or take one step at a time waiting on the Father’s voice to light my next step, rather than being able to see my way clear for days and weeks ahead. That’s hard for us list makers! But God’s Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Ps. 119:104).

Watchman Nee has a wonderful book called, “Sit, Walk, Stand.” It is a journey through Ephesians. He explains how chapters 1-3 of Ephesians is about our position in heaven in Jesus. He says that we must learn to sit at Jesus’ feet before we are ready to walk the Christian walk. 2:6, “…and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

Chapters 4-6:9 teach us how to walk. 4:1 “Therefore, I…implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.” 5:1-2 says, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ.” We must learn to walk before we are ready to stand against the devil as we are instructed in Ephesians 6:10-18. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”

I sometimes get the order all mixed up! I want to walk victoriously, but failed to sit at God’s feet and spend time with Him first. I want to stand against Satan, but have not been disciplined in my walk. I wish God would just text me the answer. But we would miss out on the joy of the journey of relationship with our God. We have the amazing privilege to be able to go before the throne of God with boldness, to call upon Him, to pray to Him, to hear from Him, to be comforted by our Savior. We don’t need to finish a list because we have a relationship with the Great Counselor, Heavenly Father, Savior, Lord, Friend. We need to walk vs. finishing a list.

Forgive me Lord, when I take that for granted, ignore the privilege, and then demand the rights. Help me to be still and know that you are God, then help me to walk daily, minute by minute with You, that You might give me the strength to stand.

 

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One Comment

  1. Thank you for this post, it was very encouraging to me today. Sometimes I feel as though I have really messed up training my children, but I know they are better off home with me than at school. I also know that God is faithful and if I do my best and rely on Him, He will work all things out for His good.
    Blessings to you,
    Rashel

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