Where Have You Been Walking?

I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.

WHEN I WAS A YOUNG GIRL about eight years old, I walked to and from church because I just wanted to be where God “lived.” I’d silently slip into the main sanctuary, surrounded by light streaming from the stained-glass windows. My feet would slide quietly over the deep burgundy carpet as I inched my way up to the front pew so I could be near the big white Bible that lay open on the Communion table. I didn’t care that I had to walk blocks and blocks to get to church. It was peaceful there, and I felt as if heaven smiled on me each time I entered. I learned many truths there, including one found in a simple Sunday school song: “Be Careful Little Feet Where You Go.”

As I grew up, I began to realize how easy it is for women to walk away from what is true, right, and healthy and how easy it is to walk toward what is wrong: wrong man’s arms, wrong bar, or wrong party.

Some steps away from the truth are more subtle: spending more and more time with a persuasive friend who doesn’t acknowledge Christ or his principles; reading posts on social media that make me feel inferior about my body; listening to songs that glorify casual sex; or even walking to the beach instead of church on Sunday morning.

Our prayer should be: “Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name” (Psalm 86:11, NIV). And the result: “I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts” (Psalm 119:45, NIV).

Retrace your footsteps over the past few days. Where have you been walking? Where would you like to walk?