He Walks with Me

Yesterday a friend of mine was sharing with me the different levels of exercise our bodies need at different times. Towards the end of the conversation, she commented that we also need to give ourselves grace. I quickly jumped on that and let her know that when it comes to exercise, I live in the grace zone!

Later that afternoon, my new office neighbor came to me and said she was going to start going upstairs to walk on the treadmill every morning at eleven o’clock and invited me to join her. (You can’t tell me God doesn’t have a sense of humor!) After I cracked up laughing, I agreed to start joining her.

As soon as I got home, I was sure to put a pair of sneakers next to my work bag so I wouldn’t forget them. After going to bed late last night, I was happy to be able to sleep in this morning. I took my time preparing to leave the house and before I knew it, it was after ten o’clock. I quickly finished getting dressed, got me something to eat, and headed out the door. I pulled up at the office right at eleven o’clock, jumped out, and headed upstairs to let my new walking buddy know I was there. She was nowhere to be found!

It was in that moment that I had to be honest with myself. Had I made a commitment to look like I had made a commitment, or had I actually made a commitment? After an intriguing conversation with myself, I decided I was committed and would walk even if no one else was looking. Then I had to decide what I was going to do while I was walking. Was I going to use this time to listen to a podcast, to catch up on some reading, or to watch a quick video? Praise God I decided to use that time to pray. I put on my sneakers, headed upstairs, and reintroduced myself to a piece of equipment I haven’t used in years.

As I began to pray, it didn’t take long for the Father to begin to speak. Revelation, direction, and instruction all within a brief half-hour walk. I was in awe of what I would have missed out on had I only wanted to give the appearance of being committed or if I would have allowed myself to be distracted.

Before today, I preferred to periodically get my workouts in by doing something fun like playing a sport with my children. I had gotten comfortable with the fact that I also get some exercise by doing the active things I have to do like cutting the grass. But after today’s experience, I’m looking forward to going on regular walks with Jesus.

[Que the music] And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me…

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