Walking

    Jesus invites us every day to walk with Him.  Amazing!  And many days I happily join Him.  Fall right into step beside Him.  It is joy.  It is peace.  It is comfort.  It is adventure. 

And then there are the days when I feel out of sorts and blah and more or less respond to his invitation with "Oh, just let me sit here and ruminate!  I am tired of walking."  At first it feels good, but sooner or later I am sad, or upset or lonely.  I find myself wondering what could have been that day.  Or running; running to catch up.

On the days when we're walking together, sometimes my Lord will stop to point something out to me.  Often I'll be patient, listening to His voice, awaiting what He desires to reveal.  Other times I'll jump the gun and dart off in the direction he motions to, without a thought....without a prayer.  And I loose out on an opportunity to grow, to learn, to join Him in something bigger than I.  

On some walks, I let my attentions wander or dawdle off after something that has caught my eye.  Soon I realize that Jesus is not so near.  Or I find myself stuck in the mud, surrounded by brambles and briars.  I fuss and strive and kick around, looking to find my way back to the good path.  Just when I am becoming discouraged and grow still and quiet, I hear Him.  I hear the Masters voice calling, leading me out of the wilderness and to Him.

There are times on our walks when the Lord has to go before me.  The way is steep and hard.  He proceeds me to make sure there is solid footing.  When I stay close and try to match each step I make into His own, all goes well.  But other times I lag behind.  Soon I find myself at a place where I cannot determine how to proceed.  But right on time, just before complete despair, there comes my Shepherd!  Extending His hand.  Retrieving this lamb.  Setting my feet back upon the Solid Rock.