Issue 1489 – The Walk – July 3, 2024
When I go out to an airport, a mall, or some other public place, I often enjoy watching the people. It is always interesting to speculate about people based on their walks.
Some strut by in arrogance. Others seem to slide by as if they wish to remain invisible. Some almost skulk by as if they were up to some ne’er-do-well task. There are those who seem to be rushing through life almost on a dead run, and others poke along as if they had nothing but time. Gang bangers and their wannabe friends have their own brand of “don’t mess with me or else” stroll.
Authors and filmmakers can get a lot of mileage from how they make their characters walk. John Wayne has his cowboy amble. The Pink Panther has his peculiar shuffle step. Forest Gump has his limp. Long John Silver has his peg leg. Think of Fred Astaire and his dance steps. Monty Python has its Ministry of Silly Walks.
There are two-year-olds with their toddle. We can hear the pitter-patter of little feet or the pawing of hooves. The father-to-be paces the delivery room. The aging guard and the padre escorted the condemned prisoners to their fate.
The boy trudged home with a note from his teacher. She slogged home through the slush after a hard day’s work. The hunter stalked his prey. The ladies promenaded with their new bonnets.
We can slink, skulk, and strut.
We can amble and mosey. We can advance, hold ground, or retreat. We can walk softly, or hear heavy footsteps behind us. We can scuff along. The list of possibilities seems almost endless.
When we visited South Africa on a ministry trip years ago, I was told that the Zulu people have more than 100 words to convey walking. I cannot confirm the number, but I have no reason to doubt its veracity. There are words for crouching as if hunting a lion, walking proudly, etc.
There is another walk that we need to be concerned with. It is our faith walk, our journey through this life. The way we display our faith in our own lives impacts our own attitudes and, often, the responses of the people around us.
We are called to clearly display the light of Jesus Christ in our lives for others to see.
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so thatthey may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25
Can people see your love for Jesus in how you respond to life? Can they see your hope and trust when faced with difficult circumstances?
Can they sense your love for them in Christ?
Until next time, examine your faith walk. It says a great deal that words can never convey.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV)