One thought came to mind as I walked briskly in the cool of the morning.
“If you are going to continue on, you must walk alone.”
Back in February, when I had the first sign of a medical issue, I began to make some changes in my life. To live a healthier lifestyle. One of those changes was to do a three mile walk 3-4 times a week.
Even from the beginning, I could tell it was helping. My body felt better, and my levels slowly began to improve.
Some days I would walk with my sister, Keva. It was pleasant. We would talk and catch up on what was going on in our lives.
As she became busier with work, I began to walk with my Mom. It too, was pleasant. We walked through our town, and it seemed Mom had a story for every house or business we passed. Over and again, she would tell me these stories. I so enjoyed our walks and spending time with my Mom.
Recently, Keva contracted covid as did my aunt. My Mom took care of my aunt. So, I was in a dilemma and frankly for a few weeks I didn’t walk at all. However, shortly after I quit, I could feel a change in my body…not a good one.
I realized it was Mom and Keva that kept me willing to do what I needed to do. They encouraged me and were the reason I drove the 15 minutes to town to complete my walk. Now what?
Would I continue on, or would I allow myself to slip backward?
Philippians 3:14 says, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Although walking alone is a small thing, it caused me to think deeper on this subject.
In this season we find ourselves in, division is rampant. Many people are being judgmental and critical of the choice others are making.
Some are vehemently against vaccines and consider anyone who is getting one to be missing God. Others think if you don’t get a vaccine, you are putting the whole world at risk. Which is right? Which ever one is right for you.
What has happened to our world? Here’s my suggestion, don’t become a part of it.
People have a GOD given right to make their own decisions – it is between them and God. They have to work out their own decisions, just as you and I do. You have no idea the struggle that has gone into those decisions or what things they had to weigh out – therefore you and I have no right to judge it.
This is a season where many of us are walking alone. Making hard decisions, yes, but continuing to walk. I don’t know if we will ever know the truth behind the virus or the vaccine…therefore, why battle with one another over it?
The Bible says clearly a house divided cannot stand. We must not become divided. We can agree to disagree and still be in unity. Why not try that?
It’s not only with the virus and vaccine that we are seeing this divide, but also politically, it’s with our employment, our families – it is all around us. And in some areas, we walk alone. But not really alone. God is with us. He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Philippians 2:12 says, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
The Passion Translation says it like this, “Now you must continue to make this new life fully manifested as you live in the holy awe of God—which brings you trembling into his presence.”
If you, like me, are ever going to reach your goal, you may have to walk alone. When no one else is pressing toward the goal of the UPWARD call of God in Christ Jesus, will you continue on? When everyone around you is divided, will you choose to keep walking in the love and unity of God? Will you enter into judgment of one another, or will you refrain and leave it to God? Will you walk alone?
When no one else believes God is going to come through in this hour, will you believe He will? When everyone else has put their promises on the shelf, waiting on things to get better, will you continue to decree and declare the perfect will of God for your life? Will you continue to press forward, knowing God is not limited by what is going on in the earth?
Friends, it is a time like no other – and many are having to walk it alone. Yet not alone. God is with us. His faithfulness and goodness surround us. His wisdom and peace guide us.
Today, stop and think before you judge another person. You don’t know their reasonings, leave them alone, let them walk their own walk…and you walk yours. That’s all we are responsible for in the end.
Appoint My Days
God has plans to prosper me, to give me a hope and a future. My path is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until the full day.
Proverbs 4:18, Jeremiah 29:11
