A Walk

For several decades we have heard physicians, nutritionists, physical therapists and even the neighborhood yoga instructor telling us that America is getting too fat. One of the remedies they suggest involves turning off the TV, getting off the sofa and taking a walk. Pretty good advice, but walk where?

Every morning when I look out my windows I will see people walking. Some are walking with a companion, others with their dog and some by themselves. I imagine there are many reasons why these folks are walking each morning, but most likely a few are doing it upon advice of their physician. I know there are a few who take advantage of their morning walk to visit their neighbors. One gentleman, Rene, stops at my house if I am outside and we will spend 5 to ten minutes chatting. Same with my neighbor across the street. She lives by herself and enjoys talking with our neighbors out for their morning constitutional.

Now, I am not allergic to exercise. Due to time and circumstances I no longer have a sleek and svelte figure. Yet, when I was younger, well maybe much younger, I participated in many different sports. Additionally, I would run about 3 to 5 miles three times a week. However, those days are in my rear view mirror and I can no longer participate in those activities.

Two of the activities I enjoyed immensely was hiking and backpacking. Growing up where I did allowed me the opportunity to backpack up in the mountains or out in the desert. Thus, I do not find taking a hike around my neighborhood interesting. The scenery just doesn’t enthuse me too much. In fact, I don’t think the scenery changes at all. I suppose you could say I was rather spoiled by the scenery where I grew up. I lived up in the ‘Heights’ which basically means I lived in the hills surrounding the LA basin. This provided easy access to a changing scenery of mountains, ocean and desert.

Yes, I do believe that getting up off the couch is a very healthy thing to do. Walking the trails in the mountains or desert was very peaceful. Living in the suburbs around LA could get a bit jarring at times with all the noise, busyness and smog. Going up to the mountains or out in the desert provided a peaceful environment. There are very few people in the back country to bother you. The only noise was the sighing wind, the twitter of the birds and the sound of your shoes scraping along the dirt pathway.

The other thing I really enjoyed while in the back-country was the night. There were no city lights, street lights, or porch lights to block out the stars. We would throw our sleeping bag or blankets on the ground and lay down so we could take in the grand show of the Milky Way. At times it seemed like we could literally reach our hand out and touch the stars!

So, yes I agree with all the pundits that say we should get off our couch and take a walk. I cannot dispute that it is good exercise and a more heart healthy endeavor. I also believe it is a very good exercise for your mind. Being out in nature and away from your busy life gives your mind a break and decreases the likelihood of depression.

More importantly, getting out of the city and away from the maddening crowds will give you a more peaceful environment to commune with God. All those trails I walked. All the birds I saw flying and singing. The animals crashing through the brush to escape the human interlopers. And all the nights I stared up at the stars reinforced to me how great God is. Therefore, you could say that walking is also a very good spiritual exercise too.

It is a fact that each person’s walk with God is unique. No two people have the same relationship with God. My walk with God has probably been enhanced by my advantage of frequent forays into nature and a curious mind that requires me to dig into the nitty-gritty of theology the result of which only reinforces my commitment to God and a deeper relationship.

So, let us talk a bit about our Walk with God. How our relationship and commitment to him can continue to grow and why that is so important.

Turn with me in your Bible to Isaiah 40: 31, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

To put this verse in context, it was written when the Hebrews were in captivity. Isaiah is encouraging them to place their trust in the Lord, to put their hope and confidence in Him. Isaiah was telling the Hebrews that the Lord will deliver them from bondage. They will be free to return home.