Walking Together
Until moving to North Carolina to attend seminary, I’ve lived a fairly active life. Because of this, I haven’t needed to set aside time to exercise. However, because of seminary, my lifestyle has become much more sedentary, and as a result I have become less healthy and I’ve gained too much weight.
I decided that since I was not taking classes this summer I would start exercising. Margaret and I started walking in the evenings. But, because there was usually something going on in the evenings, and because it was very hot, we found that we walked much less often than we needed to. So, I started walking early in the mornings. After a few days, Margaret started walking in the mornings with me.
Before Margaret started walking with me – and occasionally now when she has something else to do in the mornings – I find that I can walk by myself at a faster pace, for longer distances, and for longer periods of time. When we walk together, we walk at a slower pace, for shorter distances, and for less time.
It would appear that it would be better for me to walk by myself. And, if I were only concerned with my physical health, it might be better for me to walk by myself. I would get healthier faster by walking every day by myself.
However, life is not just about my health. When Margaret and I walk together, we also talk to one another, and we encourage one another as we walk. In fact, Margaret has told me that she probably would not continue walking if she had to walk alone. She wouldn’t be motivated to walk by herself.
So, while I may be more healthy by walking alone, our family is healthier by us walking together. I suppose, if I were only concerned with my own physical health, I would walk alone anyway. But, I’m also concerned about Margaret’s health, and I’m concerned about our relationship. These concerns override the personal advantage of walking alone. By the way, I also find that I am getting healthier in process.
I suppose there is some spiritual point to my learning this and sharing this with my readers. There’s probably some truth about community and spiritual gifts and mutual edification and growing in maturity together.
Unfortunately, I don’t have to time to dig into those spiritual truths. Its time for me to attend a Bible study. Although, I may not be attending this Bible study for very much longer. The other people who attend this Bible study are not as spiritually mature as me, and they are not moving along as fast as I would like to move along. I think a Bible study with a different format would be better for my own spiritual growth. I’ve been thinking of looking for another Bible study so that these less mature people don’t slow down my own growth.
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- The Assembling of the Church | Walking Together - [...] when my wife Margaret and I were walking together in the mornings, I wrote a post called “Walking Together“.…
- The Assembling of the Church | Running and Maturity in the Church - [...] Last Summer, my wife Margaret and I decided to walk together in the mornings. I learned alot about community…
It’s interesting that you posted this today. In the summer it’s hard for me to get to the gym so I have been walking early in the mornings instead. Lydia wants to walk with me, so we get up early and walk together. I sometimes get frustrated because it slows my pace and just this morning she wanted to cut the walk short. But it’s SO not about the exercise … thanks fort his reminder!
~Heather 🙂
As one who recently started walking with my wife at 5 AM, I can relate. It is a new arena of quality time that I’m quickly learning to enjoy. How it mirrors the heart of our Father, simply longing to take a stroll with us to start our day.
Alan,
This is an awesome point. It’s amazing that when I’m struggling with something my wife is there to encourage me and I encourage her when she needs encouragement.
As we walk with one another we can help each other along and instead of it being a race it becomes a picture of effective team work. Just as it should work within the Body of Christ.
Blessings,
Gary
Nice plug in the last paragraph! BTW have you seen Pulpit Magazines “When to leave a Church” wanted your thoughts on it? I was dialouging with a fella there
Heather,
You are learning to walk with Lydia? Wow… that’s an even better picture of discipleship!
Joel,
Yes, exactly. Can you imagine how much God is “held back” by walking with us?
Gary,
Exactly. We need one another. Mutual encouragement is just one reason that we need one another.
Lionel,
I read the article that you mentioned. I think that if we asked the authors of Scripture the question, “When should I leave a church?”, they would look at us like we’re crazy. It would be like asking, “When should I leave a family?” or “When should I leave a gender?”
Now, if we can ask the question a little differently: “When should I separate from another brother or sister?” Scripture answers this question for us, but of course, we’re not given near enough reasons to satisfy our individualistic egos.
By the way, I also read the comments, and I agree completely with what you said about unbiblical teaching.
-Alan
Excellent post Alan. Thank you for it. In a powerful way this post reminds me of the REAL reason for meeting with the church.
Mike,
I like your follow-up post as well. Thank you!
-Alan