The Walk From the moment of human conception, neural and physical systems begin developing toward a remarkable and essential skill: walking. Sensory receptors that receive information from the environment, along with growing strength to activate appropriate responses, are part of an equipping for movement that will shape nearly every aspect of life through health and mobility. From infancy, the integrated systems of vision, muscle control, and cognitive interaction with the environment begin providing the necessary input that normally leads to the joyful milestone of first steps at around one year of age. At that point, the world for both child and parents is transformed—from restrictive containment to liberated discovery—bringing both great rewards and real risks. As long as these designed processes are functioning as intended, a constant stream of continually adjusting decisions and responses is activated with every step that is taken. Whether moving up or down, on level ground or uneven surfaces, sideways or forward, fast or slow, casually or with purpose, every pace is the result of countless subconscious determinations responding to the demands of the moment. While the physical processes for walking are developing in the body, another kind of walking is also forming in the heart. Just as the nervous system and biology determine the body’s capacity for movement, so the reception and response of the spirit form the character and integrity that determine how life is walked out. With each step of independence that shapes the path a person will take and the influence they will carry, a character walk takes form. Environment, training, experiences, and dreams all affect the health and impact of this walk. And just as physical walking depends on constant sensory input and coordinated movement, the walk of the heart is continually shaped by surrounding conditions and how they are processed. These responses are reflected directly in the direction, health, and fruitfulness of a person’s life. For the one who receives new life in Christ, a new walk is enabled—one with its own potential for movement and influence. From an encounter with the One who came and walked our life with us comes the invitation to rise and walk with and in Him, where every step is strengthened by His presence and shaped by His influence. No longer confined to the limitations of the former walk, new discoveries unfold along the path of following Him. Inclines, obstacles, and chasms that were once impossible to cross are no longer prohibitive. For this newness of life to be fully experienced, however, the choice to walk in the power of its freedom is up to us. Strength and circulation are developed through each step we take, and each step carries purpose toward a kingdom destination. Also, where the former walk was one of solitude, this new walk participates in the health and functionality of a greater body, where the image and likeness of Christ are expressed through a shared walk of love. From this season of dedication to the presence of our Master—where His nature has reshaped the very receptors that once responded to the old way of living—there has come a clear purpose to rise and walk in a manner that represents that transformation. It is not only the encounter that is significant, but the walk that follows it. An encounter without a changed walk may be a meaningful moment, but when the encounter produces an obedient response to the Spirit's input, righteousness and holiness mark every step of the journey with kingdom purpose. With our receptors set on Him, we no longer walk in the unproductive patterns of the world, but in movements empowered by His life and influence. Every stride with Him is essential for maintaining mental, physical, and spiritual health and the strength our new life requires. Notes An encounter with Jesus was followed by an invitation to follow/walk with Him. Matthew 4 – Peter, Andrew, James, John immediately left their vocation to walk Matthew 9 – Matthew left his tax collection booth Matthew 19 – Rich young ruler would not leave his worldly walk to walk with Jesus An encounter isn’t enough – transformation takes place in the walk – John 6:66-68 (NKJV) 66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Our requirement from God - to walk humbly - every step influenced by Him. Micah 6:8 (NKJV What does the Lord require of you But to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? So what is the deal with the walk? With every step: Response to motivation Need to get somewhere Release energy Aware of health benefits Activation of infinite sensors for appropriate movements Visual Balance Muscular Blood flow/oxygen Awakening of benefits to body, mind, and spirit Heart Circulation Joint movement/lubrication Calming Enhanced focus Reflects the meditation of the heart Hurried Leisure Part of a greater purpose requiring steady and consistent progress. Auto responses to continual sensory input With every encounter with Jesus, where sensitivity to the influence of the world is replaced by awareness of Him, comes an invitation to walk with Him. Made alive from a walk dominated by death and sin Ephesians 2:1-3 (NKJV) 1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. Raised to walk in new life Romans 6:4 (NKJV) 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. The walk from an encounter with Him is a walk in the light, full of fellowship and free from sin. 1 John 1:6-7 (NKJV) 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. As love motivated Jesus’ walk to lay down his life for others, so will ours. Ephesians 5:1-2 (NKJV) 1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. The walk of innocence, absolved of all guilt Romans 8:1 (NKJV) 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. The necessity of the in between. Galatians 5:25 (NKJV) 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Effective coming to Him is powerfully verified in demonstrated grace in freedom. Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG) 28 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. 29 Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. 30 Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.” Overview: Every encounter with Jesus includes an invitation to walk with Him The first disciples left familiar vocations to follow (Matt 4) Matthew abandoned his old identity and livelihood (Matt 9) The rich young ruler refused to release his former walk (Matt 19) An encounter alone is not transformation Transformation unfolds in the walk Some turn back when walking becomes costly, but true life is found only in Him (John 6) God’s requirement is not complexity, but humility To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him (Micah 6) Walking reflects both intention and condition It requires purpose, energy, awareness, and responsiveness Our walk reveals the meditation of the heart—hurried or at rest Consistency matters more than speed We were rescued from an old walk Once shaped by sin, desire, and the course of the world Made alive by God’s intervention and grace (Eph 2) We are raised into a new walk A life shaped by resurrection, not death A daily expression of new life in Christ (Rom 6) The true walk is a walk in light Fellowship replaces isolation Cleansing replaces condemnation (1 John 1) Love defines the pace and purpose of the walk As Christ gave Himself, we now walk in love (Eph 5) This walk is one of innocence and freedom No condemnation for those walking by the Spirit (Rom 8) The “in-between” matters Living in the Spirit requires walking in the Spirit (Gal 5) Grace is learned through proximity Freedom and rest grow as we keep company with Jesus His way teaches us to live lightly, freely, and aligned (Matt 11) Prayer: Jesus, Thank you for responding in love to the Father’s heart in coming to walk on this earth, overcoming all my sin and death, and rising to take me on a walk in new life. I’m grateful that my encounter with You is so much more than just an event, but it’s a response to Your presence in every step I take. Shine the light of Your Spirit all around my every stride, filling it with sacrificial love for You and Your body, and purifying it for Your glory. I desire to move in Your grace and powerfully represent in my every step that I’ve encountered the wonder of Your presence. In Your wonderful name, Amen Declarations: As I’ve rested from responding to the demands of the flesh, my senses have come alive to an encounter with my Lord, Jesus. My passion is to walk in the newness of life that His resurrection provided for me, free from the old patterns of sin and death. My every step now is in humble deference to His will, leaving all to follow Him. I no longer walk in solitude, but am on a walk of fellowship that empowers me with purity. With each stride made in the Spirit’s light, I am freed from all sin and its condemnation. My encounters with the Spirit of the Lord are filled in between with continual walking in Him. Watching and imitating His every step, I walk in the unforced rhythms of grace in rest and freedom.