Walking the walk!
by Cath Taylor
It makes me smile sometimes to watch from behind as Andy and our boys walk along! It’s amazing to see how similarly they all walk. Over the years all three boys have developed exactly the same posture, shrug of the shoulders and rhythm of walking as their Dad! Not anything that any one of them has intentionally or consciously decided to do, but just what has happened as they have walked, since being very small, with their Father.
I believe this is what the Lord intends for us, as we walk with Him. As we simply draw close to Him in relationship and intimacy of heart He works in our hearts, and we become more like Him. We learn to hear His voice challenging our choices and transforming us deeply into His image.
There are many times in the Bible where Jesus challenged people and said ‘Follow Me’. Perhaps we’ve understood this challenge to be a one-off salvation decision, or a challenge the Lord brings in our lives at significant times, when we feel led by Him in a particular direction. But when I read these words recently, and considered today’s verse, I started to see that this challenge of the Lord ‘Follow Me’ isn’t a one-off decision. It isn’t even a daily challenge of the Lord, but one that, if we will listen closely, Jesus gives in the midst of each and every struggle we face during the day – if only we will hear Him.
When we’re faced with situations where all we want is to meet our own needs and wants – Jesus’ challenge is there ‘Follow Me!’ When we’re faced with a choice to speak words of blessing or words that tear down and destroy – there too is His challenge – ‘Follow Me!’ When anxieties press in and we’re off planning our own escape routes and building up our defences – His still small voice can be heard – ‘Follow Me!’
It’s in the midst of the challenges of each day when we hear His voice, respond to His voice and choose to follow Him (even when it’s difficult and costly) that we begin to learn not only what it is to walk with Him, but we begin to walk like Him!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, today I respond to Your challenge ‘Follow Me!’ and my heart says ‘YES’. Please show me today what this means in all the choices I make. Lord change my heart as I follow Your steps and rest, knowing You will work Your transformation in my life. You will mould me into Your image as I draw close to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Cath Taylor is the Assistant UK National Director. She joined the Ellel Grange team back in 1992 and has served with Ellel Ministries in Australia, the USA and the UK. Cath is married to Andy and they have three sons; Jake, Ben and Isaac.
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