Dear Friends,
We all need to walk. Even if we drive to buy our food or to visit friends or family, at some point we will still need to walk. Some people walk many miles. Georges Holytzer, a Belgian, walked continuously (99% of the time) for 418 miles over a period of just less than a week.
We know that Jesus spent most of his days walking from one town or village to another. It is estimated that, over the period of his three year ministry, He walked 3,125 miles! Only very occasionally did He ride a donkey or travel by boat.
Jesus walked regularly from Galilee to Jerusalem, a distance of ninety or so miles; He walked on water; He walked the via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, carrying His cross; He joined the two men who were mourning His death on their journey to Emmaus.
Jim Irwin, known for his work as an astronaut, was one of only eight people to walk on the moon. He went to space as an agnostic but returned a passionate Christian. He stated: ‘The entire space achievement is put in proper perspective when one realises that God walking on the earth is more important than man walking on the moon. I believe that God walked on the earth two thousand years ago in the person of Jesus Christ.’
One of the things about Jesus was that He wasn’t fussy about his travelling companions: amongst His twelve chosen disciples were tax collectors (Matthew), fishermen (Simon Peter, John, James, Philip, Bartholomew), carpenters (Thomas) and members of political groups dedicated to the overthrow of Rome (Simon the Zealot).
He calls us to abide in Him as we walk, as we go on the pilgrimage along the Way to God, to fix our eyes upon Him, taking our eyes off ourselves and head in the same direction as Jesus and at the same pace.
The writer to the Hebrews encourages us with these words: ‘Let us run with endurance the race God has set us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.’ (Hebrews 12 v 2 NLT).
God bless you, David
