In Step
- The Narrow Path
- Jul 5, 2024
- 2 min read
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another (Galatians 5:25-26, ESV).
I recently went to the park with a friend and her two kiddos. It was a beautiful afternoon, so we took full advantage of the opportunity to try and wear the kids out. We walked, named trees, looked for ducks, and they played their hearts out on the playground.
The two year old, like many kiddos her age, has recently taken an interest in wandering off. What seems harmless to her developing old brain can be quite dangerous, and scary for adults. As we made a few laps around the trail, the kiddos decided to hop out of the stroller. Within a few seconds of her little feet hitting the ground, she had already wandered ahead.
The trail was full of people passing by, so Her Mom gently, but firmly, gave her instruction to wait. She finally obeyed as she reached up to grab my pinky and walk in step with me.
I stored the memory in my brain as it was a sweet moment with a child that is dear to my heart, but also because the situation reminded me so much of my walk with Jesus.
Though I am saved by the grace of Jesus, I am still, by nature, a sinner. And that makes me like a little child, prone to wandering off, and trying to run ahead of Jesus. This is true of all of us.
We are lonely, so we jump into a relationship of convenience instead of waiting on Jesus. We make Jesus’ “no” our “yes”, because we let our desires trump His will. We’ve had a rough year, and instead of leaning into Jesus we’ve let ourselves drift.
Though these are but a few examples, I’m sure we can all recount instances where we’ve allowed the influence of our surroundings to draw us ahead of, and away from, Jesus.
But that’s why I’m so thankful for the Word of God. Galatians 5 talks specifically about walking in step with the Holy Spirit. It was one of the first chapters in the Bible that resonated with me as I began to pursue a deeper understanding of Christ through His word.
Galatians 5:25-26 says: “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
Life doesn’t always follow the path, or pace we imagined for ourselves, but we have a choice. We can choose to walk with Jesus, and remain in step with the Spirit, or we can allow society to dictate how we walk, and if we aren’t careful, we can quickly wander off the narrow path.
My friend’s child is not safe without her mother (or another caring, attentive adult.), and she needed her gentle and firm reminders that day. We need Jesus even more. Stay connected to His word, and be reminded that He will walk with us, guide us, and love us along the way.
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