Walking with Jesus

This morning as I made my way towards the beach for Sunrise, I was having a little conversation with Jesus. This, I know, is not something out of the ordinary as its simply what I do every day and I know I’ve spoken about it probably far too much. Nonetheless, this was the start of my day.

It was early. Still dark and nobody on the roads with me. I had an overwhelming sense of peace as I had already prepared my lesson for church and had nothing left to do, of any significant purpose, for the rest of the weekend.

When I arrived at the shore, I hopped off my bike and gathered my phone and cigarettes into my vest. As I was doing so, a little colorful butterfly perched itself on my Sunrise Chapel patch. Knowing this was some kind of sign from Heaven, I smiled… looked down at my new-found winged friend, and said, “Good morning little fella. Thanks for the greeting this morning.”

After my little friend flew from me, I made my way up the boardwalk and onto the sand. Then, kneeling down, I said my morning prayers and gave thanks for all that I have and all that is yet to be given me.

When I was through, I made my way back to one of the lounge chairs along the shore to have my weekend conversations with my Dad, Mom, Kimmie and others I still miss. I know that seems strange but, being a believer in what Christ has promised us, I knew I would be heard and, if I listened with my heart instead of my ears, I too would hear them.

I then sat in complete silence as I watched the Sun rising over the horizon and feeling the gentle wind as it caressed my face and combed through my hair (The Holy Spirit?). It is times like these I feel so close to Jesus as I knew, even way back then, while he was still with us, He too would watch this same event.

The beach was fairly empty. There was a lone fisherman north of me and a few scattered children splashing in the water as their parents parked themselves on a lounge chair.

The fisherman, not using a rod and reel, but instead… a net. I watched as he would throw it out into the ocean; pull it back in and search for his catch. I couldn’t help but be reminded…John 21:4-6 – “But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. So Jesus said to them, ‘Children, you do not have any fish, do you?’ They answered Him, ‘No.’ And He said to them, ‘Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.’ So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish.”

Now this was after Jesus had been crucified and His disciples had gone fishing just to try and ease the pain of not having their Lord with them any longer.

Remembering this, I then could actually see (imagining) their boat coming towards the shore. Then I watched and listened as one of the disciples said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Then Peter, having taken-off his outer garment for their fishing, threw it back on and threw himself into the sea… he simply couldn’t wait to get to the shore to see his Lord once more.

How magnificent this must have been? Having watched Him die on the cross, Peter now had another opportunity to touch his Lord; listen to His words; and kiss His skin again… to once again, walk with Jesus.

I then turned my attention to the little children. I watched as they played with each other, splashing in the water and laughing uncontrollably at their silly antics. Once again, my mind turned to Jesus…

Matthew 19:13-14 – “Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, ‘Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”

“The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.” Once again, an amazing thought… even the little children had their chance to walk with Jesus.

I guess I was starting to feel a little jealous at this point. After all, I never really had the chance to walk with Jesus yet so many did, a long time ago… or am I mistaken? Am I walking with Jesus?

Now it was becoming later in the morning. The people started arriving with their picnic baskets, blaring music playing on their I-Pods and umbrellas being opened all along the shore.

How dare they?! How could they take away my time with Jesus this morning? Why wouldn’t they just leave me in peace and let me finish my morning… I wanted to walk with Jesus! Go away!

I stumbled my way through the sand, hurriedly, as I wanted to “get out of there” and keep the peaceful, easy feeling I had in my heart.

I finally got back to the boardwalk and headed for my bike. As I made my way down the path to the parking lot, once again, my little butterfly friend alit on my lapel. It was at that time, with no question in my mind, I knew. He was still with me… I was still walking with Jesus!

This morning, I knew. He wanted me to tell you all that He still walks among us; beside us; through bad and good, He is always there!

So, how can we keep this going until He calls us home as we are needed to help in Heaven? How can we walk with Jesus when there is so much strife and turmoil surrounding us?

Listening

When people are troubled, they need to speak. They need to express their emotions and get things off their chest. If for nothing else, it helps them to talk about what’s bothering them.

Just as Jesus listens to us, He also taught us about listening to others just as we’ve mentioned before…

James 1:19 – “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

When someone you know is troubled, listen to them. Let yourself be a sounding-board and remain silent as they speak showing them clearly, you care and are willing to hear them. In doing this, you are walking with Jesus.

Speaking

Sometimes, people are far too troubled to speak. They may be confused as to what to do or how to do what they must. Once again, we must walk with Jesus and let them hear the kind words He has for all of us. But be careful…

Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”

Be careful what you say and, equally if not more important, how you say it. Troubled people are leery of words as they may have already been the source of their troubles.

Touching

Sometimes a gentle touch is all someone needs. A stroke of their hair; a soft yet firm clenching of their hand; a rubbing of their shoulders as you would caress a child in sorrow as when Jesus held the little children…

Mark 10:15-16 – “‘Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.’ And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.”

Sometimes, a gentle touch can replace a thousand words. Just as Jesus touched the children and blessed them, show your compassion by a gentle touch of your hands as we get from Him when we walk with Jesus.

Understanding

When someone it troubled, no matter what the reason, they need a little understanding. As we’ve already talked about, they need someone to listen; someone to listen to; and someone to touch them and let them know you care.

As followers of Christ, and as we walk with Him every day, we have a little better understanding of things… of compassion. We know we have been forgiven of our sins as we still do so every day but, as we confess them, we are again forgiven.

Financial Stress –  How can we not understand this? Haven’t we all been through, or are still going through, financial difficulties? Of course, but walking with Christ, we have a little more understanding. We know, if we believe and trust in our Lord, whatever we “need”, we will be provided. Trust in Him!

Family or Relationship Trouble – This too, we have been through or still battle with, but walking with Jesus, we understand a little better how to cope with it. We have the understanding that people are put into our lives, as well as taken out of our lives, for a very specific reason. Believe in God; trust in Christ… and all things will be worked-out as they should.

Loss – This is a big one for me as, when I lost my Kimmie, I cursed God. I questioned Him for months as to why He took her from me. Why was I left alone to deal with the pain of this world?

When God finally opened-up my eyes, my heart and freed me from the devil’s clutches, I began to understand.

How selfish of me! God didn’t take her away from me… that was surely the doings of the devil. What God had done is brought her home. This, He knew, would free her from her earthly pain and provide her with the Love and Compassion she never felt she had while here on earth… despite my best efforts, as she simply never asked our Lord for peace yet, being the Loving God He is, He gave her peace and tranquility for all eternity. How blessed is she now?!

All these things we need to put in God’s hands as we were taught in…

Proverbs 3:5 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

Loving

Obviously, being children of God and Brothers and Sisters to Christ and The Holy Spirit, this is our biggest attribute of all. We have their Love… it fills our very soul and gets us through our greatest struggles.

Whether we choose to realize it or not, God has given to us freely, without question. Now, it’s our job, our direction from Him… to give back just as freely.

Luke 6:38 – “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

…and has anyone forgotten the 11^th commandment given to us by Jesus Himself while He was here with us?

John 13:34 – “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

It’s hard for us sometimes. This world and today’s society have beaten us down; walked all over us and trampled on our hearts. Have we been defeated? Today, I’m here to tell you… NO! We walk with Jesus and have Him beside us always… and, by His commandment, we will Love one another.

Be the Example

I have to tell you, people who know we believe will watch us. They will scrutinize our every step, in order to challenge us in our faith. Ignore their attacks and remember…

Titus 2:7-8 – “In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.”

In Conclusion

I hope you’ve all understood what I was trying to say today. Jesus clearly reminded me of this, this morning, and I simply wanted to pass it along as He would have me do.

For all that you know are troubled…

• Lend a kind ear to those in need. Hear their woes and let them speak to ease their pain.
• Offer words from your heart. Let them know you have heard and you understand.
• Give them tenderness. A tender touch, ever so gentle, that they might know your Love is sincere.
• Understand their pain. Whether you agree or disagree with their interpretation of things… understand why they might feel as they do.
• Give from your heart. We have received SO much from God; from Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Give it back and continue to walk peacefully with Jesus.
• Be the example. When you ask for something, say please. When it is given to you, say thank you. Be kind and compassionate to all around you. In this, you will be known as a Brother to Jesus and a child of the most-high God!

Just as surely as the butterfly returned to me this morning despite the worries of the day beginning to rise… I walked with Jesus… you also, understand and feel Him by your side.

Go with God; be good to one another; always stay humble; always be kind… God Bless!