Walk In The Rain!

October 6, 2022

Walk In The Rain!

Earlier this week, I went for a walk.

I needed to stretch my legs with a short walk.  We had driven almost eight hours that day and my body was asking for some movement.

It was beginning to get dark when we left the house.  Although I could not yet feel it, there were a few sprinkles on the driveway.  The further we walked the heavier the sprinkle became.  It was like a heavy mist. 

The sprinkle was tolerable, but the cool breeze that accompanied it invited me to zip up my jacket just a little higher.  I noticed the pace of our walk increased as the breeze and the moisture buffeted continued to increase.

My wife commented, “Maybe this will be a short walk.”  I agreed as we made the sweeping turn to head back home.  On the way back, we came to an intersection of trails. 

We could take the shorter route but the rain would leave us considerably wetter.  So, we took the trail that leads behind the houses on our street.  The trees on the back trail sheltered us from both the cool breeze and the sprinkles.

Sometimes the shorter path is not always the path that yields the greatest joy.  The shorter path often seems more efficient, a bit easier, and even more practical.  But life is not always about being efficient or quick or even practical.

Sometimes it is the longer path that produces more fruit, deeper faith, and even more joy.  I am reminded that Jesus took a rather short walk most people would avoid. 

The walk occurs just after the governor finds Jesus guilty.  Jesus is sent off to the site where criminals were executed.  Jesus was led by Roman guards.  Jesus walked along the street carrying a cross. 

The Gospel of John has the most detailed description.  In John 19:16-17 we hear; “So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull…” 

The street upon which Jesus walked to the place of His death is often called “the way of sorrows.”  Some know the path by the name “Via Dolorosa.”  It is a street in the city of Jerusalem. 

It was not an efficient walk; in some places the street is quite narrow and progress is slow. 

It was not an easy walk; the cobble stones in the street are not level and it is easy to lose one’s footing! 

It was not a practical walk; it is often difficult to make it through the people that crowd the street.

The “way of sorrows” is the path Jesus walked on his way to the cross where he would be executed.  Jesus wore a crown of thorns.  Jesus’ back was shredded by 39 lashes of a whip.  Jesus carried the heaven burden of a cross on His shoulders and our sins in His heart.  Jesus experienced the ridicule of the very people He came to seek and save.

Jesus took a walk for you and me.  It was much more difficult than my walk in the rain a few days ago.  But, Jesus wanted you and me to know that even when life is not all sunshine and blessings, He is with us.

Jesus will walk with us when the path is difficult or dangerous or depressing.  Jesus will walk with us when the path is confusing or complicated or crushing.  Jesus will walk with us when the rain is falling, the wind is blowing, and home seems just a little too far away.  Jesus took a walk for you and me.  I wonder if sometimes we need to take a walk for someone about whom we care.

I imagine you know someone who feels they are walking all alone right now.  They are discouraged and wore out.  Their path may seem like the way of sorrows.  But, Jesus has already walked the hard way before us.  Now, Jesus is walking with us on those hard paths. 

When we are walking in the rain, we can be assured Jesus is with us.  Jesus walked the way of sorrows through the streets for Jerusalem.  Jesus will walk with you on your way of sorrow. 

When you know Jesus is walking with you, there is a special kind of delight that will fill your heart.  Your soul will sing a song of rejoicing because even in the rain, our Savior is with us and loves us.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug

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