Counting Steps
I’ve tried several different phone apps to count my steps. They provide an easy way to have some accountability since I’d much rather sit with a book or my laptop. I’m not climbing the stairs to my classroom or my office at the college anymore, and the garden work is finished for a while. Getting my day started with a walk makes me feel better. I miss the years when my husband and I rose early to walk the highway, but for safety reasons, we’ve shifted to treadmill and walk-fit videos. (The walk isn’t as pretty, but we try to make up for walking with scenery when we camp.) These days, I love to see the numbers add up on my phone as the day goes by. On the days when I’m sluggish or lazy, the step count is an indictment.
God also takes account of our walk. Job says, “Does he not see my ways and count my every step?” (31:4 NIV). I know I am accountable to the Lord for the direction of my steps. I shouldn’t waste time in the wrong places. I shouldn’t fritter my energy on pointless tasks. Some people spin their wheels. I have been known to run around like my hair was on fire ( I suppose since the very hairs of our head are numbered, He understands about the days I go from one end of the house to the other like that looking for my keys or my purse or a charging cord or my Kindle).Since I taught drama in the auditorium and English in my classroom, I often misplaced my purse or my gradebook. It became such a joke to see me running back and forth from one part of campus to the other looking for something that one of my principals hid my purse behind his desk just to see me scramble. Another administrator felt sorry for me and revealed the joke later in the afternoon. I’d wasted quite a few steps that day!
Now, I often do my purposeful walking with Christian music or audio books. Sometimes I just sing hymns and choruses from the past. This one came to mind recently.
“When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey” (“Trust and Obey,” John Sammis 1887).
My walk is mostly a refreshing time . I organize the day in my head and talk with the Lord about all the needs I know of in that moment. Very often, I get my “marching orders” from this special time. That is, I depend on God to guide me through the day’s business and help me through any detours. His word reassures us of that.
“The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the Lord, and he delights in his way [and blesses his path]” (Psalms 37:23 AMP).
“My feet have carefully followed His steps: I have kept His ways and have not turned aside” (Job 23:11 AMP).
“The law of his God is in his heart; not one of his steps will slip” (Psalms37:31).
Oh Lord, make my steps count for you. Help me to choose their directions carefully.
I still walk a lot (in the office), but on my spare time, I have become a little lazy. I guess I don’t have a walking partner right now, and I hope that will change soon. I miss our weekend walks.
I wish I could walk more than I do in my busy day. This was a great reminder to me to monitor the steps I take in Jesus. Lord knows it isn’t nearly as many as it could (or should) be.