Keep Moving Forward

"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light." (Colossians 1: 9-12, The ESV Journaling Study Bible, ESV Bible @2023 by Crossway.)

By Kathy Leigh Berkowitz

Colossians is a book that I return to often in my quiet times .. perhaps the themes and encouragement to keep moving forward draw me back to read it again and again.

Also intriguing to me this morning, as I watch our cats commune with the early frogs at the window, is the idea of walking itself and what that implies.

In verse 10, "to walk" implies moving forward, the opposite of sitting or staying put. Walking naturally brings new scenery.

One could walk the same path every day in a garden and still see new scenery.

Each day is new, full of the unexpected.

When I am going to be walking a lot, I tend to wear my tennis shoes for good support. The reason being is I am better prepared for the path of the day.

While the walk itself is consistent .. one foot in front of the other ... "bearing fruit in every good work" includes "increasing in the knowledge of God."

It has been said that when the Amish put in their new crops, they plow with their eye on a certain point on the horizon. One will not find more perfect crops than those.

In contrast, if I am sewing (or trying to sew) a straight line, sometimes it is helpful to have that line marked.

Knowing where I am headed helps keep my focus.

Today, may I keep my eyes on him, and may my walk be both consistent and pleasing to him.

May I bear fruit im every good work and get closer to God.