The Wee Walk.

I went out for a short walk recently. Nowhere far. Just up around a few corners where I live and then back again. It was the first walk of Springtime. I called for a neighbour to see if they wanted to join me but they weren’t around. So I went on my own.

And as I walked along a thought came into my head. And I imagined Jesus saying, “Why don’t you go for a short walk with me?” It made me momentarily stop and think. “Indeed Lord. Why not go for a walk with you?”

So, I doubled the length of my planned walk and gently strolled on. I walked past some more neighbour’s homes. Past one of my local churches. I look into the carpark to see if there was any life about the building. It was shut.

And as I strolled along so many metaphors and thoughts came into my mind about going for a walk with Jesus. And I decided to try and think up some biblical benefits about physically going out for a walk in His company.

The Bible tells us of Adam and Eve walking and talking with God in the Garden of Eden…

Genesis Ch3 (8) Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day…”

It also tells us of the times that Jesus was out for a walk. It was there that He met Matthew...

Mark Ch2 (13) Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. (14) As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus (Matthew) sitting at the tax collector's booth.

Two blind men were sitting at the roadside when Jesus and the disciples came walking past…

Mark ch10 (46) Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means "son of Timaeus"), was sitting by the roadside begging. 

Simon from Cyrene was just passing along the street with his sons on their way into the city when he was conscripted into carrying Jesus’ cross.

Mark 15v21 A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.

Matthew. Bartimaeus. They both just happened to be in the vicinity when Jesus came walking by. But Simon from Cyrene was just walking by when he encountered the crowds jeering over the tortured body of Jesus being forced to carry His cross along the dusty Jerusalem streets.

But one of my favourite accounts of some people who were out walking is of the two people who were returning from Jerusalem to their home village of Emmaus…

Luke ch24 (17) He (Jesus) asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"

And after Jesus stayed with them at their home and he revealed Himself to them they spoke those immortal words that many Christians have uttered ever since…

Luke ch24 (32) "....Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" 

You see, things happen when we go walking and talking with Jesus. It is when we are alone with our thoughts, prayers and praises that Jesus will sometimes make himself known to us in His inimitable still, quiet voice.

And even if we don’t hear His voice as we walk along you can be sure of this - He hears ours. He hears us as we think about our neighbours and friends. He hears us as we think about the quaint church with its closed doors. Every thought and act of praise and worship - He hears us.

So, the next time that you have an opportunity to be on your own while walking, or driving, or sitting in your favourite place at home, just give a little thought to Jesus. It doesn’t have to be a long sermon of a prayer. Sometimes little “arrows of prayer” shot into the air for Jesus to hear is all that we need. And sometimes, Jesus sends a little “arrow of blessing” back to us.

Take a little time in the morning
And You'll feel better all day
Take a little time for Jesus
To get down on your knees and pray
 
He took the time to die on the cross
So all the souls wouldn't be lost
If you find yourself slipping and the thing to do
Take time out for Jesus, He took time for you
 
Email - TheseLivelyOracles@hotmail.com
Internet - www.theselivelyoracles.co.uk
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Twitter(X) - @LivelyOracles58
Location: H3W9+VX Belfast, UK

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