Power Walk
By
Elin Henderson
“But,
those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with
wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary they shall walk
and not faint.”
Isaiah
40:31 (NKJV, emphasis added)
Because of a major
injury to my knee when I was young, I have been officially banned by a physical therapist from all forms of high impact
exercise. Although my running days are over, I have now embraced the wonderful
world of power walking! Of course I encountered another obstacle when I moved
to Africa. Outdoor walking is all but impossible for me here since I can’t go
more than 100 feet without passing someone’s yard and answering the multitude
of questions: Where are you going? Why are you walking so fast? Don’t you want
to visit with me? In the village where I live, there is no category for
walking for exercise and trying to “stay in shape and lose weight,” especially
when “big” is deemed beautiful! It’s just a form of getting places. So, rather
than face the questions and confusion, I have turned to indoor walking - -
befriending instead Leslie Sansone! [1]
God is calling us to a
spiritual power walk as well here in Isaiah 40:31! For those of us low impact
people, this verse could better be translated, “…they shall power walk and not be weary, walk and not faint…” How?
Leaning in on His everlasting arms and waiting/resting in Him!
So, what kinds of
things can hinder us from our power walk? Distractions which turn our eyes from
the Author and Finisher of our faith -
- the source of our power walk - - can certainly slow us down and cause us
to lose our footing or just plain stop. Don’t be deceived, sometimes these
distractions are good distractions, but maybe not the best for
us. Burdens can also most certainly keep us from our power walk. Hebrews 12:1
reminds us that sin and other worries or concerns can quickly weigh us down and
keep us from running/power walking the race God has for us.
Whether you are a runner, power walker or just
plain ambler, take hope! He wants to help you power through this life He
has given you. We’ve seen in other Scriptures about His “power” or “dynamo” on
our behalf and can rest assured that as we wait on Him and rest in Him, He will
empower our walk and through it enable us to live powerful
lives for his glory! So, keep going, don’t grow weary, power walk on for His glory today!!
GOING DEEPER:
1. Can you think of any other things that hinder us
from our power walk of faith?
2. What can we do as believers to keep ourselves
well-conditioned for the power walk He has for us?
FURTHER READING:
[1] Leslie Sansone is a
famous Christian exercise persona. She is known for her “indoor walking
programs” available on DVD everywhere.
Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa. Elin is mother to fifteen-year-old Callie and twelve-year-old Elias.
Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa. Elin is mother to fifteen-year-old Callie and twelve-year-old Elias.
