The three of us were all judges for the day at the elementary speech meet our Christian school participates in annually. Besides enjoying the talents of our own students as well as those from other area schools, it is also a time to catch up on the things that have been going on in our lives. Kathy had recently had surgery on her foot, and Susie was asking how she was doing with recovery as we were climbing the steps to the second floor. Kathy’s response intrigued both Susie and me. "I know I’m not walking right if it doesn’t hurt." Ouch! Kathy went on to explain that when we have problems with our feet, we tend to avoid any resulting pain by walking in a manner that alleviates the pain. That compensation, however, usually creates still other problems. For Susie and I both, the spiritual sensors were going off as we saw the parallel to our Christian "walk." If it doesn’t hurt, I’m probably not walking right.

Blessings abound for the believer who is intent on pursuing God. The assurance of forgiveness, a sense of purpose and direction, the unchanging presence of God that surrounds me with His immeasurable grace, the intimate friendship of knowing God, the fellowship of other believers – these are just a few of those blessings. But think for a moment of the believer in the workplace or the believer in an extended family of non-Christians. Who we represent and what we stand for are not always easily accepted. Our lifestyle and our choices, although fully pleasing to God, can be the rough sandpaper that abrasively rubs against the thinking and behaviors of others. Often our words can be taken as judgmental and offensive. Enter the political arena and Christian thought can be an intrusion into what is "politically correct." Our schools do not extend a welcome mat to our beliefs, and even our Christian celebrations can be discounted in the shopping malls.

 

Scripture also teaches us of the spiritual warfare that we are engaged in. Satan has little need to battle against the half-hearted or complacent Christian. Self-gratification or habits that run contrary to Christlikeness present no threat to the opposition of our enemy. I have seen many believers though who have committed to a course of action that will bring spiritual fruit in their own lives or in the lives of others, suddenly confronted with an onslaught of difficult circumstances. God Himself, although He is the giver of our blessings, knows too the value of disappointments and even tragedies – things we would not personally choose, but He uses them both to refine and enrich our lives. And when God lovingly chooses to allow such things, He seldom wastes them on the believer who really doesn’t care.

 

Yes, there will be times when we delight with the obvious outpouring of God’s goodness, but if that delight is never interrupted with at least some twinges of "pain," we really do need to ask ourselves, "How am I walking?"