Walking with Christ
I recently received a mailer from my chiropractor which prompted me to dig out my anatomy books. Did you know that the simple act of walking takes hundreds of muscles acting together in a coordinated manner. Some of these muscles are large, but many are relatively small. The act of walking requires your nervous system to coordinate this juggling act, signaling some muscles to relax and others to contract. Not only are your legs and feet involved, but walking also involves swinging your arms. Thus, your shoulder, back, and chest muscles are also involved in bipedal motion.
Until you have a condition like mine, you take walking for granted. Ask anyone with Parkinson’s or Multiple Sclerosis or Cerebral Palsy how SIMPLE walking is for them.
God designed our bodies to coordinate thousands (probably millions or more) of nerve impulses at the same time. Unless there is an anomaly, our nervous system continues to coordinate all our movements for our entire life. King David was right when he said that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.”
We often refer to our INDIVIDUAL relationship with Christ as a “walk”. Instead of our nervous system coordinating muscles, the Holy Spirit needs the freedom to coordinate our actions and attitudes. When we choose to sin instead of obeying the Holy Spirit, our life doesn’t have a smooth gait to it.
The opening verses of Hebrews 2 diagnoses one disease that, if not treated, will cripple us. It is the disease of “neglect”. It’s not enough to own a Bible, or even to keep it dust-free. We need to read the Word of God daily to be healthy spiritually. It must be a priority in our lives.
In His parable about the Sower, Jesus identified three more disease processes that will spoil our fruitfulness. He said, “the worries of this life (1), the deceitfulness of wealth (2) and the desires for other things (3) come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.” (Mark 4:19)
There is also a CORPORATE dimension to walking; it’s an illustration of the church. It takes a coordinated effort on the part of all of us to accomplish the task of taking the gospel to the world. When one part doesn’t cooperate and do his or her part, the whole church suffers and moves in a disjointed and jerky fashion. That’s why Peter said, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)
As you use your gifts and resources to bless people through Apple of His Eye Charity, we are able to provide a smooth, coordinated ministry to orphans and widows in India and Rwanda. Without your help, our legs wouldn’t function well at all. Someday, the voices of those orphans, widows, and less fortunate will glorify God in Heaven for your faithful sacrifices. Thank you!
By Marlon Furtado