Walking in Russia

One of my favorite lines from an early Vineyard worship song (“God is so good”) is, “for the natural things . . . speak of the invisible.” God talks to me a lot through ordinary everyday experiences. Here are a few “lessons from walking in Russia” – I’m talking about actual walking, nothing super-spiritual here, just getting from place to place on foot.

• Pay attention to light and shadows. We have to walk a lot on one-lane side roads, and with a hat and hood on, it’s honestly really hard to hear or see cars coming up behind you. But there are clues, especially at night when their headlights are on. I’m learning to pay more attention to the light and the shadows. The Lord really spoke to me through this – we can easily get sideswiped or rear-ended if we’re not paying attention. “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) “For we are not unaware of his schemes.” (2 Corinthians 10:11)
• Don’t stand too close to murky water. While waiting to cross a street, some of us stood too close to the gutter, and a zooming car splattered mud all over our jeans. There’s no way we can allow even a tiny bit of sin in our lives and expect good results. As Keith Green said, “no compromise!” “Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?” (Proverbs 6:27 – 28) “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8) “I will set before my eyes no vile thing.” (Psalm 101:3)
• It’s good to walk on paths that those who have gone before you have trod. Coming back from the grocery store, C stepped off to the side of a small road, thinking she was standing on solid ground. By the grace of God, she didn’t fall into the huge hole that appeared beneath one of her feet (thank You, Jesus, for Your divine protection)! Those who have gone before us in Christ have made pathways for us to follow, and we can learn from them and avoid hidden pitfalls by walking as they walked. I love to learn from others and stir faith by frequently reading stories of “heroes of the faith” (in the Bible, biographies, devotionals, etc). We stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before – what a blessing! “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.” (Proverbs 1:8 – 9) “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” (2 Timothy 1:5 – 6)