Walking Instead of Living

In Genesis chapter 5, Moses goes through the family tree of man starting with Adam and ending at Noah. But in that chapter there is something a little different when he begins talking about Enoch. He talks about him in a different way than the other men in the lineage. In the NIV text, the word "lived" used in association with Enoch's kin is replaced by the word "walked" when referring to Enoch. Enoch did not just "live" on earth, he "walked" with God.

Who remembers the poem Footprints? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? The writer talks about seeing 2 sets of footprints at some points in his life's journey and then talks of only seeing one set at other times. How does Jesus respond in their conversation? He says (and I am paraphrasing), that when you saw one, I was carrying you. So what does this tell us about our "walk" with God?

When we believe in God wholeheartedly, and truly have faith that he will help us weather the storm, then we are walking right beside God, lock step. But the times that we start to doubt and we shake our fist at Him and scream why me, those are the times He is carrying us. Why does he carry us? Because he knows that we cannot do it on our own. Remember this next time life deals us a bad hand (like Neal on card night), God will always be there but we must trust in Him in order to walk with Him.

Try this on for size: If you are going through something tough right now, be it a marital issue, a child issue, a family member is sick, or the economy is getting you down, whatever it is, put your best smile on your face and think, "This is just life, but it's not eternal life." Walking with God is the only path to eternal life with Him instead of the place we are trying to kick dents into.

Looking forward to my death,
Jesus Freak Out!