Walking with God

Here we go again.

I've awakened the sleeping blog and I'm ready to begin (again) something else, too ... those of us at Cook's UMC who are up for the challenge are ready to be In The Word and On Our Knees in 2015.  So, the majority of my posts will be in line with these two parts of our challenge:  to follow the LifeJournal Bible reading plan (and use the SOAPY method to solidify all we're discovering) daily and to pray daily for God to have His way in and through us at Cook's UMC.  (If you want to know more about any of the things I've mentioned here, please feel invited and welcome to contact me or the church for more information ... we'd love for you to join us!)

When I blog about the day's scripture reading, I'll make reference to the breadth of our reading and, then, the specific word/phrase/verse/portion that caught my attention.  I'm using the Common English translation for the most part.  And, lastly, I'll do my best to model the SOAPY method in my post (S=scripture, O=observation, A=application, P=prayer, Y=yield).  Here goes ...

January 3:  Genesis 6-8, Luke 3

Genesis 6:9   "...Noah was a moral and exemplary man; he walked with God."

I LOVE the picture that this simple phrase paints of Noah.  And, it's not the first time in scripture that this phrase is used; the same is said of Enoch toward the end of chapter 5.  The reason this catches my attention so?  I loved to walk with my Daddy.  Mostly we hiked trails and walked through fields and pastures and I loved every minute of it.  Well, not EVERY minute, but most of 'em.  As we walked, Daddy was always teaching and listening.  Showing us how to distinguish trees from one another, to read the sky for weather signs, to not miss the tiny things growing on the forest floor, to be glad for the busyness and the blessings of farm life, etc.  There were times that I struggled to walk beside my Daddy because his stride was so much greater than mine.  And, there were times that I needed to learn to step it up. 
However, there were many more times that Daddy slowed his pace in order that he might accompany me, especially when I was going as fast as my short legs would take me.  God is like that.  Imagine yourself strolling with God just like the Bible says was the case for Enoch and Noah.  Spending time together, figuring out life, learning and listening.  Be sure of this:  God intends to have that time with you, God longs to accompany you and me in life.  Jennifer Kennedy Dean says it this way:  "God was willing to calibrate his stride for Enoch's sake."  (Praying the Promises of God)  And, God is willing to calibrate his stride for YOUR sake; I believe it might be God's greatest desire for you ... to spend time together.  As we begin this meaty challenge to shift our focus on a daily level, never lose this picture.  For, we will be walking with God AND God will be walking with you! With us!

Lord God, I stand in awe that you love each of us so much that you long to spend time with us, just walking through life. Help me be mindful of your deep love and your desire to spend time with me.  And, teach me more every day what it means for us to walk together.  The discipline will be hard; there are lots of "to do's" in my life.  I want this joy of spending time with you to be priority.  Help me make it so by calling me to you and walking with me.  I love you, Lord.  Amen.

In order for God to work in my life through His Word and the ministering of the Holy Spirit, I must yield my calendar and my schedule to give God priority even over the other important stuff.  Yikes!