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.

The journey plays a central role in the Bible. She describes life as a path with different times and life experiences that have a beginning and an end and sometimes uses the word walk to describe one's own journey through life. "Noah walked with God" (1. Mose 6,9). When Abraham was 99 years old, God said to him: "I am God Almighty, walk before me and be godly" (1. Moses 17,1). Many years later, the Israelites migrated (walked) en route from Egyptian slavery to the Promised Land. In the New Testament, Paul exhorts Christians to live worthily in the calling to which they are called (Ephesians 4,1). Jesus said that he himself is the way and invites us to follow him. The early believers called themselves the "followers of the new way (Christ)" (Acts 9,2). It is interesting that most of the journeys described in the Bible have to do with walking with God. Therefore: Walk in step with God, dear reader, and walk with him through your life.

The journey itself, being on the move, brings new experiences with it. It is the contact with the unknown, with new landscapes, countries, cultures and people that enriches the hiker. That is why the Bible attaches great importance to “being on the way with God”. Not surprisingly, a well-known verse addresses this subject: "Trust on the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your understanding, but remember him [God] in all your ways, and he will guide you rightly." " (Sayings 3,5-6).

In other words, put your whole 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 whole walk of life. We all travel in our lives. Travel involves changing relationships and periods of sickness and health. In the Bible we learn of many personal journeys by people such as Moses, Joseph and David. The apostle Paul was traveling to Damascus when he was confronted with the risen Jesus. Within moments, the direction of his life's journey changed dramatically (Acts 22,6-8th). Yesterday it was still 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 a will to destroy Christianity. He ended his journey not only as a Christian, but as the man who took many different and challenging journeys to spread the good news of Christ around the world. How about your trip?

The heart and not the head

How are you travelling? In Proverbs we read: "In all your ways know him, and he himself will smooth your paths!" (Sayings 3,6 Elberfeld Bible). The word "recognize" is rich in meaning and involves getting to know someone personally through observing, reflecting and experiencing. The opposite of this would be learning about someone through a third party. It's the difference between the relationship a student has with the subject matter they are studying and the relationship between spouses. This knowledge about God is not primarily found in our heads, but primarily in our hearts. So Solomon says that you get to know God as you walk with him on your life's journey: "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2. Petrus 3,18).

This goal is permanent and it is about getting to know Jesus on this journey and remembering God in all ways. On all trips, planned and unplanned, on trips that turn out to be a dead end because you went in the wrong direction. Jesus wants to accompany you on the everyday journeys of ordinary life and be your friend. How can you get such knowledge from God? Why not learn from Jesus and find a quiet place, away from the thoughts and things of the day, to dwell before God for a time each day. Why not turn off the TV or 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 in the Lord and wait for him" (Psalm 37,7).

The apostle Paul prayed that his readers might "know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that they may be filled unto the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3,19). I want to encourage you to make this prayer your own life prayer. Solomon says God will guide us. However, this does not mean that the path we walk with God will be easy, without pain, suffering and uncertainty. Even in difficult times, God will provide, encourage, and bless you with His presence and power. My granddaughter recently called me Grandpa for the first time. I jokingly said to my son, It was only last month when 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. Your goal is to recognize God on this journey and to travel with him!

by Gordon Green