Walking with My Father

READ: GENESIS 3:1-9; ROMANS 8:14-17; 2 CORINTHIANS 6:16-18

Recently, as I was sitting on the porch enjoying the sunshine, I watched my dad start walking down the driveway. I instantly thought of running to catch up with him and join him as he walked. When I walk with my dad, I get to spend time talking with him and just enjoying his presence.

In that moment, a thought hit me—this is what a believer’s relationship with God is like! Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we get to walk with our heavenly Father on the journey of life. I find it so beautiful that having a close relationship with God is described as walking with God (Genesis 5:21-24; Hebrews 11:5-6). But when Adam and Eve sinned, they hid from God as He came walking in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8). Sin destroyed the beautiful walk with God we were created to have. But, because of Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross, God has made the way for us to be adopted as His children (Romans 8:15-16). Our opportunity to walk with God has been restored!

This simple picture is powerful—we don’t walk alone. Our God walks with us! We can talk to Him about anything at any time. Like little kids, we can grab God’s hand for comfort when things get tough. I am so grateful for the fellowship and special moments I get to spend with my earthly father when I walk with him. And I am more grateful still that he has taught me what it means to walk with my heavenly Father—I know I’ll never have to walk alone. • Lily Walsh

• Have you ever imagined God walking with us like a father walks with his child? What do you like or dislike about the idea of God walking with us?

• When Jesus returns, all His people will get to be with God face-to-face and walk with Him in renewed creation (Revelation 21:1-5). How can looking forward to Jesus’s return help us understand the kind of relationship God wants to have with us now?

• Are there any dads or father figures in your life who’ve shown God’s love to you? Consider taking a moment to thank God for them, and maybe thank the person/people too!

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 (NIV)