Keep on Walking
During a particularly difficult season, a friend shared a simple song with me via YouTube that really captured my attention. I ended up downloading the song, looking up the words, and replaying it in my mind. It’s a song by a Christian hip-hop artist named Mali. The song is entitled, “Walking Shoes”.
Now, I’m not usually the biggest fan of rap or hip hop, but I think what struck a chord for me were the words and what God reminded me of through those words:
Always waiting for something good to find you
But if it don’t come what are you gonna do
And that’s why I’m walking, walking
Gotta keep on walking, walking
We often find ourselves in periods of waiting. Sometimes we know what we are waiting for. Many times we have an idea in our mind of what this thing is but not knowing it fully. Often it gives us a sense of expectancy, excitement, and even the hope of fulfillment and purpose. But what if it doesn’t come? What if our carefully crafted hopes and dreams never come…or worse still, they come but not as we expected? Our bubble is burst and we demand of God an answer. “But this was a good thing, Lord”, “It was to glorify you”, “Is this not what you have placed in my heart?”, “But this is my purpose…my calling!” We lament because these are typically not bad things. Ministries that build up the body of Christ, occupations that serve our fellow man, opportunities to share the gospel, Christ center marriages, Godly children, etc. They are all honorable things that fill our lives with purpose and meaning…but, if not careful, we make them our calling…our prize.
I have been waiting on those good things too. As a single, I have waited for marriage most specifically; desiring to honor God in my relationships before and after I say, “I do”. In addition to that I have waited for certain ministry opportunities, sharing the gospel, and a “higher” purpose in my career. I have to laugh as I write this. True to form. God never appears as I would have imagined or even desired. I still wait on some of these things…hopefully waiting. Some of them, I’m beginning to realize, God has answered and is answering…just not as I had imagined. So, what do I do when these “good” things don’t come or, more accurately, don’t come as I would have desired?
This scripture came to mind:
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3: 12-14
In this chapter, Paul is talking to the church at Philippi and warning them to not put their confidence in fleshly things. He goes on to say in verse 4, “If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more…”. He then goes on to list all of the attributes and accomplishments that would make him righteous. He then turns things on its head and states that what ever was to his profit he now considers a loss for the sake of Christ. He determines that his righteousness does not come from human gain or effort…from “good” things but through faith in Christ! He has a very intense desire to know Christ even in his sufferings, death, and resurrection! Not to know things, goals, or accomplishments despite how good and Godly they may be.
Then we come to the verses mentioned earlier…specifically:
“…Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
I have often heard this verse used in the context of past failures even sins when reading, “Forgetting what is behind…”. I have also, more importantly, heard it used as a statement of encouragement to “press on” towards those good goals…those good and Godly “prizes” we hope for in this life.
But what if they don’t come? What if they don’t come as we would have imagined?
See, the simple lyrics of that song in the time of my struggle and despair, brought to mind this scripture, which convicted and reminded me that “my walk” is my faith and “my prize” is Christ alone. Disappointment will come. Goals and dreams may or may not be realized on this side of eternity. Things will not always be how I pictured it would be. In the midst of despair, failure and rejection…I must keep walking. When my dream is deferred, I must keep walking. When everything around me screams to doubt my God and my beliefs because of the reality of this fallen world…I must keep my faith in Christ.
This seems hard at times even downright impossible, but for those who have been called in Christ I believe it is quite simple. At my weakest points, when life seems unfair and God seems like an unkind father, when to live as the world seems easier and more profitable to my own agenda…God was holding on to me and I remembered:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his son…” Romans 8: 28-29
You see, even at my lowest points there has been and still is a calling on my life…to become more and more like His Son. And even though “my” prizes may or may not come on this earth, I still must press on toward my truest prize…Christ himself. Even through the disappointments and despair, I must keep walking…growing in faith…becoming more and more like Him and less and less like me:
“Only let us live up to what we have already attained.” Philippians 3:16
…His righteousness.
Because…
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
So, in spite of what has been and in spite of what will be in my life, I keep walking. What God chooses to bring, He brings; and what he chooses to withhold, He withholds. The things I hope for and the things I do in this life are great! But they in themselves are not my righteousness, my calling or my prize.
I think this line in Mali’s song paints that picture well…I would just change “what” for “who”:
Got my walking shoes on
Can’t tell you where I’m going but I’m walking down this lonely road
But at least the scenery is beautiful
And no matter what I do
I can’t stop walking no
I know it’s the only way to go
And if I keep walking
I’mma be okay
It’s not always about knowing why
Sometimes its all about knowing what
And that’s enough to keep you walking every day.
My walk…my faith. My prize…God Himself. Ultimately, it’s all about Him anyway.
“And how blessed all those in whom you live, whose lives become roads you travel; They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks, discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain! God-traveled, those roads curve up the mountain, and at the last turn – Zion! God in full view!” Psalms 84-5-7 MSG
Kristin Jones writes and lives in Houston, TX and is the co-founder of www.heycurlfriends.com
