Walk and Wonder

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God . . .  the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:1-2, 14

Devotion

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us – Lent begins early this year, barely a month beyond Christmastide. The birth of Jesus Christ, incarnate Son of God, both fully human and fully divine, is still fresh on our minds. It may be tempting to quickly jump from Jesus’ birth to his crucifixion but we would be remised if we didn’t pause to consider his life before the cross, even before his ministry. We don’t know much about Jesus’ life as a young man but we can assume that most of it was quite ordinary- studying the Torah, playing with friends, and walking. In ancient Israel, walking was essential to people’s livelihood.  People walked to the market, they walked to visit family and friends, and they walked to the temple. Often these trips took more than a day. A trip from Jesus’ home in Nazareth to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem was about 75 miles, geographically, this is similar to one walking from Stone Mountain to the city of Forsyth which is just outside of Macon. What a trek! There is lots of time for thinking and contemplating I’m sure.

It is believed that Jesus covered more than 15,000 miles in his lifetime, but just a little over 3,000 miles during the last few years of his life, when he began his ministry. Before then, walking was simply a part of Jesus’ everyday ordinary life  – the eating, sleeping, going-to-work, walking around life. I imagine Jesus as a teenager and young man, walking along dusty roads with his friends; and along the way, I’m sure  there were stories, laughter, and plenty of time for wondering.  My good friend David Bishop knows the benefits of walking and wondering. He said walking and wondering essentially go hand-in-hand. I consider him an expert in both areas. He has traveled hundreds of miles by foot all over the world – from North Georgia to Mount Kilimanjaro. “Walking,” he said “leads to both wandering and wondering. It strengthens your body and stills the mind, giving you time to think and remember, to notice and to pray. It’s good for the soul.” I believe Jesus thought so, too, as he wandered and wondered his way through Nazareth. During the next few weeks of Lent, I invite you to spiritually walk alongside Jesus as we prepare out hearts for his path toward the cross.

Prayer

Walk with me, Lord, as I step into this season of Lent. Bless each step, slow my cadence, and help me to recognize the gifts of your presence along the way. In Christ’s name we pray, amen.