A Unique Walk

Have you ever noticed that everyone walks differently? This has been confirmed across several academic disciplines, such as anatomy, psychology, and other health specialties. Just as everyone bears a unique fingerprint or retinal scan, everyone also exhibits a unique gait.

How you walk is special to you: it is a complex combination of your own unique musculoskeletal structure, neurological wiring, lifestyle, height, weight, posture, past injuries, and even mood. In a way, how we walk is a window into who we are. Our steps reveal ourselves. Scripture conveys a similar principle about our spiritual “walk,” except in reverse: who we are influencing how we walk. Our sense of self drives our steps.

In Ephesians 2:10, the apostle Paul starts not with our walk, but with our identity: “For we are his workmanship…” God fashioned us and designed us. And just like everything that has ever been created or designed, there was a purpose behind it. A chair, for example, is designed for the purpose of sitting. A lawnmower is designed for the purpose of cutting grass. Likewise, God designed us for the purpose of “good works;” and this purpose was rooted in His plan, which He “prepared beforehand” since eternity past. A purpose for something is found in its most essential identity.

Earlier in Ephesians 1, Paul gives our most essential identity in Christ: we are adopted as His children, holy, forgiven, redeemed, called, and blessed (Ephesians 1:3-12). And here in Ephesians 2, Paul adds even more: in Christ, we have a design from eternity past, a purpose for our today, and a plan for our future.

In light of all these things, there is only one thing left, and that is for us to “walk” accordingly. The Greek term for “walk” is, “peripateō,” which simply exhorts us to be who we already are. It is a call for our activity for Christ to flow out of our identity in Christ.

Are you walking as a child of God? The good news of the Gospel and the power of the Spirit means there is always hope, strength, direction, and confidence for walking purposefully through life (Galatians 5:25; Psalm 32:8) as His adopted son or daughter.

Reflect & Pray

Lord, I desire to walk better today than yesterday. Remove the burdens from my shoulders; heal my wounds; help me let go of the things I know I should not continue holding. Teach my feet the joy of walking in the Light, and in light of my identity in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.