Walking Partners

I've started walking a couple of days a week with two different friends. One friend is probably less fit than I am. I encourage and push her on to keep going a few more laps. She's ready to quit at 2 miles, but I can usually push and encourage her to 2.5. My other friend is in better shape than I am. She walks fast, and my legs burn as a strive to keep up. We walk 3 miles in no time, as she encourages me to go farther.

Our Christian "walk" should mirror my fitness walk. We need walking partners in Christ too! We should come along side some people who aren't as far in their faith as we are. We should encourage them in their walk with Christ and help them become more spiritually fit. It's not just a suggestion, but a mandate, "Go, and make disciples," Jesus said. (Matt 28:19,20)

At the same time, we should have Christian mentors who are equally or more spiritually fit than we are, to encourage us and help us deepen our relationship with Christ. Whether it's in our marriages, parenting or daily life, having someone to push us to do what is right is a blessing!

Having someone to walk with makes me more accountable to my exercise plan, no matter what their fitness level. The same is true spiritually. When I'm mentoring someone else, I am careful that I don't have the appearance of sin in my life to lead them the wrong direction. And likewise, when I'm with a mentor, I strive to live the life that they are, doing the right thing.

Who are you walking with in your Christian walk? Don't walk alone.

Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
Proverbs 13:20

I'll Be There, Jackson 5

You and I must make a pact,
we must bring salvation back.
Where there is love, I'll be there
I'll Be There, Jackson 5, 1970

Do you ever wonder if God and Jesus had a conversation about the fall of man, and how they would handle it? Was it before Adam & Eve sinned, or after the fact? Whose idea was it? When I heard this Jackson 5 song the other day, I wondered if the conversation between God & Jesus sounded something like that:

You and I must make a pact, we must bring salvation back. Where there is love, I'll be there.

The Bible tells us that God IS love. ( John 4:16) Where there is love, I'll be there. Together they agreed (or made a pact) that they would offer mankind another chance at salvation. Jesus would die on the cross to pay the price for our sins.

But a relationship with Jesus offers more than salvation, not that just salvation isn't enough!

Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter
Togetherness, well that's all I'm after
Whenever you need me, I'll be there

We also get a change to have a relationship with Him! He will fill our heart with joy and laughter! The joy of the Lord! (Nehemiah 8:10) Togetherness is what He is after. Whenever we need Him, He will be there! Never will he leave or forsake us. (Joshua 1:5)

I'll be there to protect you,
with an unselfish love that respects you
Just call my name and I'll be there

We can pray to Him, be comforted by Him, learn by His Word in the Bible! He'll be there to protect us, and give us an unselfish love...unconditional love. And He wants us to love Him back. (Deut 6:5, Mark 12:30)

I'm so blessed to have a relationship with Jesus, and he offers a chance at that relationship to all of us. (John 3:16)

Just call His name. He'll be there.