Communication

Walking Uphill

by Terry Barlow
07/21/15
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   For me responding to God’s invitation to walk with Him includes going for literal walks and expecting to sense His presence or hear His voice inwardly. Had the thought while walking up an incline recently that, just as it is considered heart-healthy in an aerobic sense to include upward inclines in our walks, it is also healthy for the “heart” in a spiritual sense, when we enter upon season in life that feels like it’s going to be an uphill climb.

  It may look daunting as we look out upon our future personally and corporately, but as a friend used to say, “the anticipation is worse than the realization,” meaning that as soon as we put “boots on the ground" we find it is more than do-able, one step at a time. We actually may even forget after a while that we’re walking uphill at all, as we get a little bit stronger and a little bit healthier with each step.    The LORD told Moses and later Joshua, "Every place upon which you shall tread shall belong to you as your possession." (Deuteronomy 11 v.24, Joshua 1 v.3) And if it's an uphill climb, then it's a higher place we're gaining as an inheritance, and we can climb in His strength, because, as the psalmist says, "He will make my feet like hinds feet!"

(There’s one thing about treading on high places: it’s such a long, long way down!  One really needs hinds feet,  or lessons from a mountain goat……and a trustworthy Guide!  We’re always in need of that Guide, of course,  but how much more do we feel that need when we catch a glimpse of what’s over the edge of the cliff.)