Walking With God While Running on Life’s Treadmill

Enoch walked faithfully with God;” (Gen: 5:24).

In my mind’s eye I see an elderly, but strong man in a long robe walking in dust covered sandals. His face is serious, however there’s a sense of peace about him as well as joy. He has all day to spend walking and communicating with God as he travels down dirt paths and up winding roads.

Not only does he talk to God, he spends quality time listening. His days are filled with wonder and wisdom, obedience and opportunity, as well as contentment and commitment.

I don’t stroll in a long robe and dust covered sandals. Matter of fact, I don’t stroll. I run through my day taking care of the many things that are on my to do list. At times my face is serious, and there isn’t a sense of peace or joy, but one of stress and exhaustion. I don’t travel down paths and up winding roads talking to God. No, I swoop down grocery store aisles, sit in traffic with other impatient drivers, and keep my eye on the clock so I don’t miss my next obligation.

I don’t feel as though I have time for a faithful walk with God—not with my schedule. And with all the technology bombarding me with information and requests, I don’t even have a moment to hear myself think, much less listen for the still small voice of God. Forget wonder and wisdom, obedience and opportunity, contentment and commitment. It’s more like fear and uncertainty, trial and error, as well as anxiety and over-commitment.

In Heb. 11:5 we read Enoch “. . . was commended as one who pleased God.” I realized if  I wanted to please God like Enoch, I had to find ways to walk with God while running on life’s treadmill. Here’s some ideas I came up with:

  • driving my car
  • riding a lawn mower
  • running on a real treadmill
  • finding a quiet place in my home
  • sitting in school car line while waiting
  • waiting until everyone else has gone to bed
  • rising early in the morning before the family gets up

I’ve found that making time to talk to God is much easier for me than making time to listen because listening takes much more discipline. I’ve had to learn to carve out some quiet time in my busy life to read God’s Word and let Him do the talking. Sometimes my quiet time is reading and afterwards sitting before the Lord with an open mind and spirit allowing Him to speak—if only in a whisper.

Note here, turn off televisions, radios, computers, and silence all cell phones because the world will try to encroach upon this time no matter how well we plan. These times must be guarded because they’re not only pleasing to God, they’re invaluable to us for the recharging of our batteries as we continue to run in life’s fast lane.

How does your schedule look for the upcoming week? Do you honestly want to be walking with God in the midst of your busy life? Then make sure you take time not only to talk to Him, but also to listen.

He will be speaking—if only in a whisper.

 

photos courtesy of microsoft office images

Beth Fortune

Beth has a passion for God's Word. Through her writing and speaking she allows the heartbeat of the Father to flow through her words. As an award-winning writer she’s a contributing writer with Christian Devotions and has had stories published in two "Chicken Soup For the Soul Book" Series in addition to other anthologies. Some of her articles have been published in Focus on Family’s "Thriving Family" magazine and Dr. Charles Stanley’s "In Touch" magazine. With a degree in Ornamental Horticulture she loves gardening and enjoys giving gardening talks to churches, schools, and community groups but her real enjoyment comes from sharing God's truths and encouraging others. She and her husband live in Mauldin, SC where they are in a season of caregiving for her father-in-law in the home. A diffiult season, but one in which God continues to show His grace. You can visit her at www.bethfortune.net.

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2 comments

  1. Thanks for this reminder to take time with God, not just to talk and to read but to listen. Great ideas on finding moments to “walk” with Him in our days. I wonder if it could become a kind of game: “spot a chance to be quiet with God” — and the prize is enjoying the time with Him.

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