I’m currently teaching Experiencing God at my church. We recently completed unit three, which is about God pursuing a continuing love relationship with us that is real and personal. It emphasizes walking with God and enjoying fellowship with him. The apostle Paul exhorted Christians to “. . . walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16). Walking by the Spirit entails living each day in the awareness of the Holy Spirit’s guiding presence in our life. It also involves seeing and hearing what the Spirit brings to our attention. Too often I live my life in the flesh, not in the Spirit.
One of the exercises in unit three of Experiencing God is to spend thirty minutes fellowshipping with God somewhere special, like on a walk or in the park. So I rose at dawn and set out into my neighborhood.
I didn’t listen to music or podcasts as I normally would. Instead, I remained silent (except for my labored breathing), so I could hear whatever God might want to say. I’ve found that I’m much more likely to hear from God if I stop listening to the usual noises.
I set out at a brisk pace, determined to complete the course as quickly as possible. With the sun just poking out, I was reminded of all the work waiting for me back at my office. Typically, I focus on the road right in front of me so I can avoid cracks or other obstacles as I charge ahead. But that morning I consciously slowed my pace and began looking around me. Yards I had passed many times before contained all manner of interesting vegetation. The sound of birds and insects going through their morning rituals burst forth. There was a freshness in the air, even though the temperature was supposed to reach into the 90s again. It reminded me that every new day is latent with possibilities, and I must enter each one prepared for whatever might come. It’s awe-inspiring to think that God has known since before time began what I would face today, yet I am just now discovering it for myself.
As I began to ascend a long, sloped road toward my house, a trail of water began flowing down the road toward me in a steady stream. The water was coming from a distant source. Eventually, I arrived at the top of the hill and discovered that an irrigation system was watering grass on a yard. The mist that carried into the street was forming into a current of water that was racing all the way down the road. I’m sure the owners of that house would have been dismayed to know that by watering their little patch of grass, they were creating a stream of water that was traversing through the neighborhood. It reminded me that what I do today may have ripple effects on my grandchildren and beyond.
When walking in nature, it is easier to see the simplicity of life. Seasons and cycles happen in a predictable order. Though each day holds some unique qualities, nature also follows many predictable, ordinary routines. There is comfort in knowing that the sun will rise again tomorrow, the birds will begin their daily search for food, and the sun will serenely glide across the sky before descending into the horizon for the night.
Thirty minutes later, I arrived home. My work was still waiting for me at my desk. Yet even as I entered into the busyness of another day, I had been gently reminded that I am just a small part of a vast universe over which almighty God exercises his control. My opportunity to enjoy the wonder of this life will last for only a brief moment. Then I will be swept up into God’s eternal home and I will live at a level that far exceeds my wildest dreams.
For now, I need to begin more of my days with a simple stroll around my neighborhood, reminding myself that I have the unimaginable privilege to walk with God. He is always with me. But at times I allow the noise of the world to drown out his voice. I could recognize God’s presence more often if I wasn’t in such a hurry.
As a task-oriented person, I completed my Experiencing God homework for the week. Along the way, I was reminded that life needn’t be filled with anger, frustration, or stress if I regularly take time to connect with God and walk with him through each day.
