Walk through life with God

A few weeks ago I visited my parents' house and my school. Memories came back and I longed for the good old days again. But those days are over. Kindergarten lasted only a certain amount of time. Graduating from high school meant saying goodbye and welcoming new life experiences. Some of these experiences were exciting, others more painful and even frightening. But whether good or difficult, short-term or long-term, one thing I've learned is that change is a natural part of our lives.

Journeying plays a central role in the Bible. It describes life as a path with different phases and experiences, a beginning and an end, and sometimes refers to one's own journey through life with the word "walking." "Noah walked with God." (1. Mose 6,9)When Abraham was 99 years old, God said to him: “I am the Almighty God, walk before me and be righteous.” (1. Mose 17,1)Many years later, the Israelites journeyed from Egyptian slavery to the Promised Land. In the New Testament, Paul exhorts Christians to live worthily in the calling to which they have been given. (Eph 4,1)Jesus said that he himself was the way and invited us to follow him. The early believers called themselves the "followers of the new way (of Christ)." (Apg 9,2)It is interesting that most of the journeys described in the Bible involve walking with God. Therefore, dear reader, walk in step with God and walk with Him through your life.

The journey itself, the act of being on the road, brings new experiences. It is the contact with the unfamiliar, with new landscapes, countries, cultures, and people, that enriches the traveler. Therefore, the Bible places great emphasis on "being on the road with God." It is no surprise that a well-known verse addresses this theme: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him [God], and he will make straight your paths." (Spr 3,5-6).

In other words, place your entire life in God's hands; don't rely on your own abilities, experiences, or insights to make the right decisions, but remember the Lord in your entire way of life. We are all on journeys in our lives. Journeys involve changing relationships and periods of sickness and health. In the Bible, we learn of many personal journeys of people, such as Moses, Joseph, and David. The Apostle Paul was on his way to Damascus when he encountered the risen Jesus. Within moments, the direction of his life's journey changed dramatically. (Apg 22,6-8)Yesterday things were going in one direction, and today everything has changed. Paul began his journey as a vehement opponent of the Christian faith, full of bitterness and hatred, and with a will to destroy Christendom. He ended his journey not only as a Christian, but as the man who, on many diverse and challenging journeys, spread the good news of Christ throughout the world. What about your journey?

The heart and not the head

How are you traveling? In the proverbs we read: “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”Sprüche 3,6 Elberfeld BibleThe word "to know" is rich in meaning and encompasses getting to know someone personally through observation, reflection, and experience. The opposite would be learning about someone through a third party. This is the difference between the relationship a student has to the subject matter they are studying and the relationship between spouses. This knowledge of God is not primarily found in our heads, but above all in our hearts. Solomon says, therefore, that you come to know God when you walk your life's path with Him: "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2. Petrus 3,18).

This goal is constant, and it's about getting to know Jesus on this journey and remembering God on every path. On all planned and unplanned journeys, on journeys that turn out to be dead ends because you've taken the wrong direction. Jesus wants to accompany you on the everyday journeys of ordinary life and be your friend. How can you receive such knowledge from God? Why not learn from Jesus and find a quiet place, away from the thoughts and activities of the day, where you can spend time before God each day? Why not turn off the television or your smartphone for half an hour? Take time to be alone with God, to listen to Him, to rest in Him, to reflect, and to pray to Him: "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him." (Ps 37,7).

The Apostle Paul prayed that his readers might “know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, so that they may be filled to the fullness of God.” (Eph 3,19)I want to encourage you to make this prayer your own prayer for life. Solomon says that God will guide us. However, this doesn't mean that the path we walk with God will be easy, without pain, suffering, and uncertainty. Even in difficult times, God will provide for you, encourage you, and bless you through His presence and strength. My granddaughter recently called me Grandpa for the first time. I jokingly said to my son, "It seems like only last month I was a teenager. Last week I was a father, and now I'm a grandfather—where has the time gone?" Life flies by. But every part of life is a journey, and whatever is happening in your life right now, it is your journey. To recognize God on this journey and to travel with Him—that is your goal!

by Gordon Green