The Stopover

It’s amazing how little I walk these days. I mean why bother when it’s so much easier to drive or catch a train?

Sure I love going for walks in the park or on the beach but when you’ve got to get from A to B there are much smarter alternatives.

Have you ever been in a rush and it’s seems you get stuck behind EVERY slow walker?! And you’re thinking - ‘how am I ever going to get to my destination?’

This got me reflecting on how many times in the Bible you read about people walking with Jesus. It seemed easy enough, until you realize how many times Jesus stopped to heal someone or to speak to so many people every single day!

I can imagine that this would have become frustrating for the disciples. Surely at times they just wished Jesus would hurry up so they could get to the next place or stopped talking so they could get something to eat - right?!

I know that it’s often when I’m running late or just want to get home, that God will just get my attention and tell me to go encourage someone or give someone a lift home! Or I’ll want to run ahead towards the promise but God will tell me to help the person lagging behind.

At first I get frustrated but sure enough not long later I’m glad that I waited. Because I’m learning that truly walking WITH Jesus is so much better than trying to run at the world's pace.

I’m not looking back hoping Jesus is following me, I’m looking to him to lead me! Sometimes we see stopovers as a sign of weakness but actually they are an example of complete faith in him!

It's understanding that God doesn't need us to reach the 'destination' to move, he wants to move during each step along the way!

'Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]; and walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us'
Ephesians 5:1-2

By taking that extra minute or hour to be used by him, I in turn somehow always get so blessed by what he does.

Whether it be the times I've became friends with girls I literally just dropped home from church one Sunday or when I encouraged someone only to find out they were having a bad day.

We forget the impact we can have, when we really care for others.

It's when we stop trying to write the music to God's story and allow ourselves to be instruments for his glory. Each with our very own part to play, to create the most beautiful melody.

It’s these moments that remind me to check my heart. To ask myself - am I too consumed by the ‘race’, the ‘mission’ to get from A to B that I’ve lost sight of him?

I don’t want to be like Martha trying to get everything prepared and organized, while Mary just sat at a Jesus’ feet listening. I don’t want to run off ahead only to miss the miracle that God was just about to do before me!

I want to be willing to walk, at whatever pace, for however long right alongside Jesus.

'Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in [union with] Him [reflecting His character in the things you do and say].'
Colossians 2:6