Oh wait, you mean… I actually have to implement what I learned?

I recently read a few excerpts from the book, Walking With God by John Eldredge. You think it would have occurred to me while reading it that I should probably do more than just read a book about walking with God, but it didn’t.

Though I’ve come across dozens of thought-provoking words and valid points not once did I stop to pray about my own personal walk with God. I know, I know; I can be flighty sometimes. What it took for me to see my lack of awareness was an even more obvious life situation.

It was a combination of many things ranging from school and work to family and relationships – basically life. I came to an all-consuming point of feeling overwhelmed, stressed, unappreciated, frustrated, and forgotten all at once. During that time I found myself encountering each day without any specific intentions and then became content with not pursuing my desires. Such a mindset invited me to avoid taking the initiative and made me believe that my careless thoughts and actions didn’t have consequences. I made some rather large mistakes by saying and doing things I shouldn’t have. Those actions have now brought me to my knees in confession with such a stinging spirit of regret (…OR with a piercing spirit of regret?). I almost convinced myself that prayer couldn’t help me out this time, but then I picked up this John Eldredge book and my Bible for the first time in a while. I was reminded that my prayer alone wouldn’t help; I would also need to walk differently with Him.

It doesn’t matter where we’ve been, are currently at, or even headed to. Regardless of circumstances, Jesus still wants us.

Confession time: I push things to the side a lot. I’ll say that I’ll get around to tackling personal matters later – knowing very well that I won’t do it. This directly applies to my daily walk with God too.

I know He’s asking me some questions: Where have you been? Why aren’t you talking to Me? Don’t you know I love you? Why won’t you come spend time with Me?

Geez. I sound like I’m bailing out on a lunch date with a friend. It’s pathetic and unacceptable.

My mom told me that I need to get back to the basics. She’s right – oh how she is right! My life is always better, brighter, and bigger when I’m truly walking with God. I’ve missed our long conversations, jokes, smiles, moments of silence, and His Word. But I can get it all back. I can get us back. All I need to do is get back to the basics of prayer, reading, and action – the walk. And I urge you all to do the same.

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