Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7 ESV

One of my favorite activities is walking in the woods around our home with my husband and our dogs. We live in an “Appalachian cove forest.” Lots of hardwoods; red and white oak, maple, black walnut, sourwood, beech, and black tupelo, to name a few. There are also lots of pines and umbrella magnolias and a particularly odd one called a devil’s walking stick with large sharp spines (that you would not want to use as a walking stick!).

Walking is relaxing and enjoyable, watching the dogs chase after a squirrel they will never catch or picking up the scent of some animal who was there before them. Talk is easy and we always seem to find something new or see something we hadn’t noticed before. We love exploring old homesteads where a family once lived and loved. God’s creation is always amazing.

I was reading Colossians this week. Paul is reminding the people in the church that since they have received Jesus as Savior, they should also walk with Him; becoming “rooted and built up,” implying spiritual maturity over time. It brings to mind the trees of the forest because they take years to grow firm roots and gain height and breadth.

As I read these verses I thought about my walk with Jesus. I began walking with Jesus 50 years ago. (Wow! I didn’t realize it was that long until I figured it up.) The joy and peace were real. I talked with Him often and praise and worship and gratitude came easily. But as the years went by my walk sometimes veered away from Him, although I know He was always with me. I seemed to walk more closely with Jesus in times of illness and crisis, joyful births and sorrowful deaths. But when life was busy, I sometimes relied more on myself to get through it, and not always well. Praise and worship became more a habit than a relationship.

So, in this new year, my goal is to renew my walk with my Lord Jesus. Regain that joy and peace that only comes from Him. Enjoy walking and talking with Him. Obey His calling in my life. Become rooted and built up. Offer thanksgiving for all the blessings and answered prayers. Truly walk in Him and strengthen my faith.

And I want to invite all of you to come along side me as we walk with Jesus every day this year and always.

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we strive to walk more closely with our Lord Jesus.

Blessings and joy as you walk with Jesus!