Walk and Don’t Fall
In my younger days I was quite trim. In fact, my mother would buy me slim pants and have to take them up just a bit. Even when I reached high school, I could not gain weight. I would consume more than 3000 calories a day, but I would burn them off at basketball or baseball practice. The day I graduated from high school I stood six feet, two and a quarter (don’t forget the ¼) inches, and I weighed in at just under 150 pounds. In the words of Barney Fife, I was wiry.
I wouldn’t be considered obese today, but 150 pounds is way in the rearview mirror. I love to eat, and the truth is there is no telling how much I might weigh if I did not exercise. I ride a bike, I have a rowing machine that I use occasionally, I lift light weights, and I walk. Notice I did not say that I run. If you see me running, please call for help. I’m in some kind of trouble.
But I walk frequently. I walk my dogs. I walk the neighborhood alone. And I walk the golf course when it is under 90 degrees. I’ve always taken walking for granted. Just put one foot in front of the other. Keep moving. But as I age, I have to be a bit more careful. Recently on the golf course I tripped over a root. Have you ever taken 30 feet and 10 seconds actually to fall? I tried to stay upright. But I stumbled and tripped and flung my arms around before I finally simply went to the ground. Only thing I hurt was my pride.
But I am aware that falling is one of the most dangerous things that can happen to us as we age. We need to be careful as we walk.
The Christian life is often compared to a walk. Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, making the best of the time, because the days are evil.” That is advice we need to follow. No one ever plans to fall, either physically or spiritually. But when we do not take care, it can happen to quickly.
I urge you to look carefully how you walk. Keep your eyes on Jesus and follow Him. He is our only hope.
