ONE MORE WALK "Moments That Guide My Faith"

Friday, September 29, 2023

The words, “One More Walk” are not my words but the words of a dear friend, Jim Venable. They were the words I heard him say on a mission trip to Panchaj, Guatemala as we were making our last climb to the church we were helping to build. As he said them, I stopped to take a picture of just that... our ”One More Walk” up the hill. It was an image I wanted to hold on to and words I didn’t want to forget. They were gifts that, not only encouraged me up the hill, but a guiding grace I wanted to keep with me. And gratefully, the gifts have remained. Both the words and the picture have stayed, becoming something of icons for me, guiding my thinking, living, and love for the Christian life. They remind me that our life with Christ is, as my friend Lesley Brogan encourages, a “left foot, right foot” kind of journey....step by step. But they also remind me that our life with Christ is a total venture, embracing every facet of our lives. So much so, that perhaps in moments of frustration or anger the words, "One More Walk" can inspire pause, offer encouragement in the face of all that produces a weary spirit, speak blessing in the midst of every joy, and instigate energy and agency in all the ways we work, give and share. All of this is why, "One More Walk" is becoming the invitational lens by which I want to see and respond to all that comes my way.

When it comes to faithful living, the idea of walking with Jesus in all that we say and do is certainly not new. Seeking Christ's guidance, discerning His direction, and relying upon His abiding presence in our daily living are comforting and familiar. But the words,

“One More Walk” suggests something more for me. They compel a deeper look and gracious challenge. They invite me to wrestle with just how much I really "DO" want to walk with Jesus and come clean about all the places I really "DON'T." They peak my curiosity and wonder about how, where, and when such an invitational lens can help me look at the big things in my life, alongside all that I've dismissed as insignificant and necessary.

I guess you could say that, "One More Walk" is becoming the way I'm making sense of everything I experience, know and see. They're the present, metaphorical words serving as my undercurrent, compelling me along to: try again, look again, do the work, take a nap, wash the windows, take a trip, receive the blessing, pray, laugh, cry, sing, look underneath, have the conversation, make the choice, take a walk, give, be silent, be still, feed the dog, pet the cat, serve, pay the bills, spend time with those I love and those I don't, empty the dishwasher, brush my teeth, take a shower, have a cup of coffee, dream, and discern what God may be calling me to do, listen, write that note, make that call, visit the one I’ve been meaning to see, play with a child, climb the hill, lye in the grass, hold a baby, cook supper, bake some cookies, watch TV, read a book, write a book, deliver a meal, vote, ask for help, offer help, exercise, learn something new, protest, speak my truth, hear the truth of another, paint a picture, tell a story, forgive, fall down, fail, succeed, grow, fight, heal, and love well.

"One More Walk" has become my mantra for living. But not one that weighs heavy with "shoulds and ought tos", but rather a gift to see all of the opportunities, day to day necessities, responsibilities, joys, sorrows, and invitations that greet us on any given day, as "One More Walk" to lean into and embrace as a sacred moment...whatever that moment may hold or be. It's an invitation to believe that everything, absolutely everything, is embedded with sacred traces by virtue of Christ's eternal presence. It doesn't mean that all of life is good or that we deny or negate the heinous travesties that are apart of our lives and world. Rather, it's serving as the mantra that gently reminds me I'm not alone, forsaken to my own resources. Instead, I'm invited to meet all that's before me with the assurance that Christ walks with me- all of us- into "every walk" I encounter, every moment of every day. This is what I know: However we may envision our own walking with Jesus, He most assuredly is walking with us... whether we know it, or not....whether we see it, or not...whether we believe it, or not. The words,"One More Walk" are helping me trust this, lean in to the certainty of it and offer everything in this life to Christ's faithful companionship and care.

As you've probably guessed, "One More Walk" has captured my heart and attention. So much so, I decided to create a blog with those words as its name. It's my way of holding myself accountable to this invitational lens and to let these words guide my thinking, living, and love for the Christian life. If the idea of "One More Walk", in any way, has captured your heart and attention, I so welcome your company, own reflections, and experiences in this space. Every Friday I'll offer some reflection on a moment that I've experienced or observed as guiding our walk and faith with Christ. It will be my way of inviting us to take, "One More Walk" together. It's my deep hope and prayer that this may serve a a means to deepen and nourish our walk with Christ and one another. Oh may it be so. May it be so.

Blessings, Leslee