"P"eaceful Pathway

This summer I had a desire to work a little on increasing my physical activity. It wouldn't be that hard considering my normal physical activity habits tend to be "nothing." With that, I was challenged to go on more walks. There is an incredibly peaceful RV/camping area right behind our hotel, that has trails that equal about an hour long walk to the end and back.

Although, I think I've only gone on about 4 total walks here, they have been some of the most peaceful times, this summer. I'm an extrovert for the most part, so usually I go with other people, but for this week, I was challenged to go by myself, so I could get in some time praying and just being with the Lord on my own to think through some things that have been on my mind lately.

It sounds easy, but it was a challenge. It took me about 4 days to finally just go. Then as I began my walk it took another good 30 minutes of my mind racing as I went in and out of praying, thinking of other things and thinking "I wonder what the Lord wants to teach me on this walk." It is really hard for me to just stop and listen to the Lord. I always want to be moving and doing something and try to figure out on my own what the Lord is doing in my life. Very often, though, I find the Lord doesn't work that way.

When I got to the half way point, for some reason I was really out of breath. It didn't really make sense since it wasn't that hilly. It hit me, though, how fast I had been walking and how it didn't make sense to go that fast. There was no need to be going quickly. I wasn't in a rush. It was then that my mind slowed down. (For about 3 of those minutes, it was just so I could focus on getting my breath back.)

Today, during my expectant walk, the Lord taught me this. "Slow down and wait. Believe that I'm in control. Waiting is not suffering. It is my provision for you." These phrases just repeated themselves over and over again as I rounded literally the last corner of my walk. How often are we moving so fast, that it takes a peaceful walk to remind us of the guidance and graciousness of the Lord.