What does it mean by walking with God?

A few years ago, my words for the New Year were “Be present.” You see, for most of my life, I leaned towards being a worry wart. I tried to carry life’s burdens on my shoulders and tried to solve (control) all of my problems myself.

I would stay up late, losing sleep over researching, googling answers and trying to figure out ways to solve my problems. Over time, I realized that there are two kinds of tendencies we have.

  1. We try to do it all on our own (me).
  2. We hide/retreat from life’s problems.

The ones who hide may expect God to take care of all their problems. They may think they are having faith. But not taking any action and expecting God to magically take care of everything is actually spiritual laziness.

Instead, having faith is a combination of trusting God and trusting Him enough to take the next right step towards what He wants you to do.

When Jesus called someone to have faith there was many instances where he required some kind of action or step from them.

Jesus healed the man who was blind by putting mud on his eyes, but he also told the man to “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.” (John 9:7)

When Jesus healed a lame man who had been lying at the pool of Bethesda for 38 years, he told the man to “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” (John 5:8)

And when the woman who had been caught in adultery had been brought to Jesus, he wrote something in the sand, and one by one her condemners left. Jesus said to her “go, and from now on sin no more.” (John 8:11)

James also tells us that faith without works is dead. It is by taking steps (with God’s help) that we have faith and grow in our faith.

 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

James 2:17

But also, trying to pull ourselves up by our boot straps and take care of all our problems on our own is not true faith either.

Most mornings I go for a walk and pray with God. My prayer often is this – God, help me to walk with you. Not ahead of you, trying to do it all on my own. And not way behind you either, too scared to do anything. Help me have the courage to do the next right step you want me to do.

Help me to take the next right step with you, walking with you, and trusting you will help me each step of the way.

Whatever struggles you are facing in life, whatever pain points you have, whether it financial, relational, a health diagnosis, mental issues, whether it has to do with school or your career, wherever you feel overwhelmed and at times hopeless, walk with God one step at a time.

He is a good Father and is worthy of our trust.

Now it’s your turn! What is a next right step you can take with God? Reply in the comments below!

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