Walking over the years has been therapy for me. The miles I’ve clocked with Starburst by my side and now with Luna. Starburst was ready for a walk anytime. Dark, light, rain, snow didn’t matter. She would go. Luna really appreciates the mid 70s, light breeze, sunshine, anything else she keeps trying to turn back. It helps if my husband Joshua can come, I guess I am unable to calm her fears alone. When I pick her up to reset the fears, then set her down again, we usually can get a good pace going.
By the time we hit about half a mile, she realizes that she cannot persuade me to turn back and settle in. But that first bit, she doesn’t trust me. She is sure she knows a better way.
I can’t help but think that there might be a little lesson for me here.
“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:12-13 NASB1995
Luna wants to push me to go back to a perceived safety. She knows in our little house there is warmth, light, and possibly treats. Can’t say I blame her.
Is there a course that is in your life today where you might be wondering if you know the better way? Who doesn’t like life when money is in the bank account, family and friends are good, we are good? Anyone out there saying, gosh, I love the unknown and uncertain?
There is an obedience that I am learning in the unknown. I can’t help but think of our nation today. Whether your party won the election, or didn’t, these next steps are fraught with concern. Acknowledge and notice the fears, sit with your neighbor. Do not forget Monday. Monday, you sat in this same place.
Look at the verses above in Philippians 2, Paul speaks of Christ’s work on the cross. His humility that took on the likeness of men. His obedience to death for our salvation. So when Paul says, work out your salvation, we are not meant to be complacent. We are meant to actively be praying, serving, growing, etc.
I have a word for the one reading here that lives in constant pain. Plans have to cancel because of pain. I want you to know that God sees you. He has called you to this, that’s a hard word. I know. He means for you to be a part of the service and work of faith. Laying in bed awake and in pain, pray. Pray for others. Pray for yourself. Pray for the church, our nation. This is your act of working out your salvation.
You may not feel like you are a part of anything, but my friend, your prayers sustain and uplift. I have a friend who has this amazing ministry of writing cards to seniors. She has written thousands. She has a little team and they spread love to those in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Ask God where you can serve. There is a place for you at the table. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. This past year has taught me so much about trust. Placing my fears in his hands and humbly taking life one day at a time. We may not see God’s work always, but friend, He has never stopped. His good purpose continues whether we “feel it” or not.
We may look back at a certain time in our lives with fondness, wishing we could go back there. Seeing the warm lighting, just like Luna, we keep trying to turn back or wishing we could. We keep asking the Lord, reminding Him, but God knows a new and better way going forward. Luna forgets that we will soon be at Central Park where new smells, new dogs are waiting to greet her. I ask her to keep going and trust me.
God is asking you, my friend, to keep going. We may not see a Central Park, but God does. He is asking you to trust Him. He knows the way. He is the way!
Just keep going.
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