“FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART” January 15, 2019
When was the last time someone asked you to go for a walk with them? The first question which crosses people’s minds is, “Where are we going?” There is so much wrapped up in the destination and the goal of everything that is done that the journey to get there is completely dismissed as nothing more than an inescapable hassle of getting from where you are to where it is you want to arrive. People carry this physical concept over into their spiritual lives and forget that God places as much emphasis on the journey as He does the destination and purpose.
Apostle Paul in his letter to the Colossian believers was inspired to put it like this, “6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power” (Colossians 2:6-10, NKJV).
The phrase “walk in Him” carries the idea of being invited on a walk by someone who gives us the destination, but has a purpose for time between the starting point and destination. As the children of God walk with the Lord through their life in this world, God is doing three things that are as important as the future destination of their soul: 1) rooting them in Himself, 2) building them up in Him, and 3) establishing them in faith. Walking with God through this life is literally making connections to and bonding with God so all a person’s dependencies shift from where they were to Christ alone. If a tree is separated from its roots it has no way of receiving the nourishment it needs to live and it will die. This is why Paul stresses that we are made complete in Him.
The idea of being “built up in Him” is when the child of God makes the priorities of God to be the priorities of their life also. Walking together with God on a daily basis is to learn about Him through talking and listening to Him throughout the day, sharing their hurts, concerns, and joys of life with Him, and to look to Him as the ultimate authority on everything. A good way to look at this is to imagine walking along at a strolling pace, not hurrying along to the destination, but enjoying the time to spend alone talking with this person who is admired and respected in life above everyone else. God’s people must be receiving fulfillment from God and His Word so that they live a life that is building a testimony to the Lord’s glory rather than a name for themselves.
The purpose of the journey with the Lord is so God’s children are “established in the faith”. This means that doubts and fears are all discarded and life is stabilized by that assurance of the eternal character of God by the presence of God’s Spirit residing on the seat of authority in the child of God. Every trial that is endured, every joy celebrated, and every fear that arises are all things God is allowing to come into the life of His people in order that they can be strengthened and know His power and grace along the way to His heavenly kingdom. The philosophy of this world and the traditions of mankind are to rush through to get to the end, meet the goal as quick as possible by any means necessary, and share nothing with anyone since they may use it to get there first. God’s people must remember that God considers the journey to spiritual maturity and sanctification just as important as the destination. If you are taking the time to walk with the Lord and allowing Him to set the pace, you will find that worship is something that is a lifestyle rather than an event that occurs occasionally.
Praying beyond the physical: Father, set the pace of this day and give me the strength to walk with You instead of ahead of You. Jesus, speak to my heart and mind through Your Word and life as we walk through the events of this day. Spirit, take all that I hear and see from the Father today and help me make it part of who I am now and forever. Pastor Tom
