That’s right. I’ve fallen behind. I have several blog posts started that are in various states of finish, but I don’t have any at the moment that I want to publish. Most require more research or some shoring up to be worthy of public consumption.
It did occur to me however, that I’ve been remiss about one thing in particular that I wanted to share with you all. My walk. …And not so much as it applies to me only, but the impact my walk has on others. Thinking in this fashion has me authoring this blog today for your consideration.
I could be way off here, but when I discuss the “walk” with other Christians, it generally applies to each of us as individuals. The image of looking in the mirror comes to mind. When we speak over this subject, it almost always has little to do with others and mostly how we ourselves are doing as it applies to Him. At least that’s my perception of how folks see it.
But that idea isn’t really formed of all the truth that surrounds a person’s walk, is it? Think about it. My walk is what I do. But what I do is formed from my core beliefs, my response to stimuli, the circle I’m traveling in, etc. Is it not? My walk touches many, especially my family. I thought about that quite a bit yesterday morning.
My daughter is enjoying her Taekwando immensely. Along with her participation through the Christian Black Belt Academy, she’s expected to recite scripture alongside her physical performance and mental preparation for her routine exams and testing. She was practicing her forms and I asked her to recite both the bits of scripture she was to have memorized. They were:
Proverbs 15:1 – A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
Galatians 6:4 – But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.
My daughter was putting the finishing touches on Galatians, and had the Proverbs well in hand. I have enjoyed watching her flourish with this new art form, but I felt I hadn’t done my job until I asked her to explain to me what each meant. Between you and I, it seemed more appropriate that the proper sentiment and extrapolation of those pieces of scripture was being absorbed, as opposed to the ability to solely regurgitate the words themselves. It’s almost as if an explanation of the scripture in terms of application can almost precede His word so then the scripture itself can be committed properly to memory in some cases.
She wasn’t coming around so quickly and grasping the lesson put forth in Galatians. Her mom and I took the time to sit down and explain that she shouldn’t be concerned with the actions of others, but instead examine herself rightly and conduct herself in the ways God expects. Doing so glorifies God. And glorifying God is reason to rejoice in “herself” with a person’s works and performance. This isn’t a situation of being better than others for the sake of man’s ranking of man.
We also went onto explain that you can see this as not only how you ‘test’ in your taekwondo classes, but moreover how you’re tested daily in all aspects of life. Once wifey and I conveyed examples of how our faith is tested and how our resolve is to be considered, it made sense to my little girl. We were very pleased as parents to have handled not only the instructions, but the context and content in biblical fashion, that we really felt the best possible outcome had come to fruition.
Maybe this was a test for us as parents. Would we suffice with memorization of scripture alone, or would we delve into the background and application so the words held useful meaning? I think we did well. Now if I could do that annually, monthly, weekly, daily, and hourly, I’d have something in which to truly be proud.
That will remain both my hope and my goal – my walk objectives if you will… Join me friends, seek light and be salt.
