Walking And Running With God

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3 Notes

[9] Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.

[10] Your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

[11] Give us this day our daily bread,

[12] and forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

[13] And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

(Matthew 6:9-13 ESV)

On my sabbath day rest this past Monday I went for my usual run. I got about five minutes in, and the rhythm of my feet hitting the road began to sync up with the beat of a song in my ears. My breathing was off beat and out of time with the background music, but it seemed to work in a weird and perfect way. The air was cool on my face, yet the sun kept a sense of warmth just to remind me that God was there and willing to talk. That entire picture simply captivated my attention for a fair distance, settling my mind and pacing my soul with the Lord. I didn’t seem to have a verbal conversation streaming in my mind like I do on many of my outings, but a sense of abiding, walking and being with God, and that was it. It was abundantly clear to me that my soul silence in conjunction with nature, music, rhythm, and and running was another depth of intimacy to be gained if my heart was willing to listen.

I ran for a number of minutes with Him as my only companion.

The music was filled with words, but they might as well have been in a foreign language to me for that part of my run, until the silence was broken up by some lyrics that seemed to speak deeply to me.

“Heavenly Father, you always amaze me. Let your Kingdom come in my world and in my life.

You give me the food I need to live through the day.

And forgive me as I forgive the people that wronged me.

Lead me far from temptation.

Deliver me from the evil one.”

Suddenly the music became non-existent and the words came screaming to the forefront of my mind and heart. There was something amazing about this song that seemed like a

prayer of familiarity and depth. The words went on,

“I look out the window

the birds are composing

Not a note is out of tune or out of place

I look at the meadow and stare at the flowers

Better dressed than any girl on her wedding day.

So why do I worry?

Why do I freak out?

God knows what I need

You know what I need”

At this point my heart is swelling with everything around me, my time with God is now mirroring the sprint at which I feel Him running. Everything I hear in the lyrics, my heart is seeing in God’s presence. I have nothing to worry about. Why do I worry? Why do I become anxious? Why does my heart wallow in question, when everything around me is the pure testimony of God handing me the answer.

Here is the lesson: When our anxiousness, discontentment and lack of hope stir within us to run and get away, it will always be met with a faithful Father who is constantly reconciling our heart, soul and mind back to Him. Are we listening?

The chorus then began to scream into my ears like an anthem pushing me to greater hope and peace.

“Your love is…Your love is…Your love is strong.”

It’s repetition began to sync and sink in my heart. He becomes our rest, even when we want to run. He becomes your walk, even when your mind is sprinting.

When I returned home, I listened to the song and read the lyrics. I was moved by the fact that this song was really the writers version of the Lord’s Prayer from Matthew 6. Now I know why there was so much in it for me that day.

“The Kingdom of the heavens is now advancing

Invade my heart

Invade this broken town

The Kingdom of the heavens is buried treasure

Will you sell yourself to buy the one you’ve found?”

May the Lord’s Prayer be more than just repetition like the Pledge of Allegiance. May the Lord’s Prayer become the foundation of how you pray and talk with God.

Have a great weekend! See you Sunday as we talk about Enoch’s faith to walk with God.

Thank you for allowing me to be your pastor! I love it!

Blessings,

Pastor Donnie

Text for Sunday: Hebrews 11:5-6