Stop Stumbling, Start Striding: Walk in Stride with Jesus

I want to walk in stride with Jesus. In this post I share what causes me to stride and what causes me to stumble. Read on the learn how to walk decisively with Jesus. 

I told Jesus I would walk in stride with Him. But I find myself stumbling into disobedience, responding like a stubborn, know-it-all toddler.

I confess: I have been lax in obeying God with certain details. You really want to know the juicy details, don’t ya? Ha, I thought so. Okay, here goes. *takes deep breath 

See, I have set alarms on my iPhone to jog my memory that bedtime is approaching. When the reminder pops up I feel like a little kid who just lost her fun time because Mama just told her to go to bed. Except it’s not Mama, it’s the Holy Spirit. And lately, I have been ignoring said alarms. By lately, I mean for several weeks now.

What’s the Big Deal?

The “big deal” is: God made it very clear to me that I was to go to bed at a certain time at night. His instructions were so I could catch enough sleep to wake up at the certain time He wants me to wake each morning. Why? It’s wisdom for my body.

When I stay up late and wake late, I’m tired all day, even if I get nine hours of sleep. On the other hand, when I go to bed early and wake early on a regular basis, I feel good and have energy. He’s shown me that I need to keep this schedule to maintain strength for the work of my calling.

When I asked Him for wisdom, He delivered. Disregarding those alarms is foolish. Ignoring the alarms even got to the point where I would feel the Holy Spirit nudging me, but I would continue right on doing what I was doing as if nothing had happened. (Ouch. That was painful to write.)

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:17 ESV

Stride or Stumble

Have you ever linked arms with someone and tried to walk with them while you’re connected like that? When you’re close together in that position, the pace is much smoother when you are in the same stride as the other person. Otherwise, when both persons’ steps are off, one usually is striving to keep up with the other person, or trip in the attempt!

Jesus isn’t my crutch that I use to only walk with Him when I’m wounded. I said I would link arms, and walk with Him for life. My linking arms illustrates my obedience.

My flesh doesn’t always want to yield to Jesus, but it’s always worth it. The result is fruitfulness for His kingdom.

Jesus isn’t my crutch that I use to only walk with Him when I’m wounded. #ThrivingInChrist #WalkingWithGod Click to Tweet

stride→steps together    stumble→steps off

Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways! Psalm 128:1 ESV

Use Mile Markers to Walk in Stride with Jesus

One time I printed out a long list of very specific directions to another city. I wasn’t familiar with most of the streets, so I found myself using the mile markers to avoid missing the next turn. To follow God’s directions, I follow by my obedience. If I don’t want to miss His next turn, I need to look at the specifics.

When I find myself going through problems, I need to frequently check the “mile markers.” If the mission He gave me isn’t going so great, I might find that I didn’t carry out a specific direction. Along the way, I need to obey carefully, and that means that I need to make sure that I am honoring every detail.

My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:8 NASB

Obedience causes me to link arms with Jesus and walk in stride with Him. Disobedience causes my steps to be off sync. I don’t want to be disobedient. It decreases the anointing, and other has consequences as well.

Obedience causes me to link arms with #Jesus and walk in stride with Him. #ThrivingInChrist Click to Tweet

So how do I obey God? Read my post Obeying God When the Struggle Is Real where I unpack some practical ways.

To stride means to walk with long, decisive steps in a specified direction. I want to walk in stride with Jesus. How are you walking with Him?

 

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kellyrbaker

Kelly R. Baker is a Bible study teacher, mentor, and homeschool mom. She serves with her husband in leading the worship ministry at their church. You will probably find her sneaking a bite (or more) of organic dark chocolate in between wrangling her four kids. She'd love to thrive in Christ together with you. She promises if you live yielded, you'll see the fruit.

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43 Comments

  1. Loved this Kelly! Psalm 63:8 is one of my absolute favorites! I remember the King James Version for some reason- “My soul follows hard after thee.” I even used this for my website design. Lol Just as David found out, obedience is so impactful towards our relationship with the Lord.

    1. Hi, Gretchen! Thanks so much for visiting! KJV is my favorite translation for that verse, and a favorite verse, too. I’m glad to have met you today, and look forward to connecting with you more! 🙂

  2. Horace Williams Jr. says:

    I love this post Kelly It is poignant and powerful. I can relate to the term you used “mile markers” regarding following God’s direction with an obedient heart. It is amazing the progress in my day when I have early morning time with God. It usually leads directly to me writing a section/verse for the book or a jotting down a thought for a post. I thank God for His grace as we struggle to keep in stride with Him. I am always blessed by the thoughts you share and how you deliver them. Definitely a post I will be sharing on my inspiration page. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and may God continue to bless you and yours as you stay in stride with Him!

    1. I’m blessed to see you here, Horace! Thank you so much for your kind compliments; they are so encouraging. I love to hear of those who have time with the Lord in the early morning. It’s my favorite! That’s when I draw my strength and link up for the day. And it sounds like you do, too. Please let me know where your inspiration page is so I can follow it. Many blessings to you as you choose to walk in obedience to our Lord. 🙂

  3. Yes! It is totally exhausting to be out of step. Great article! Blessings!

  4. “To follow God’s directions, I follow by my obedience.” This strikes me right between the eyes, Kelly. I so need the markers and the distinct reflection of every step so that I know…I KNOW…that I am walking with the One Whom I need to obey. Thank you and I will be back!

    1. Yes, to KNOW! I’m so glad it was helpful! You made my day! 🙂

  5. Lori @ Frog's Lilypad says:

    I love this, Kelly! I want to be in obedience to Jesus. He’s not a crutch and I don’t want to treat Him as one. I’m going to link arms with Jesus so I can be a little closer to Him. Thank you for sharing this encouragement with Thankful Thursdays.

    1. I’m happy to hear that you are linking arms with Jesus and walking in obedience, Lori! Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment. I’m glad I found your linkup; thanks for hosting. 😉

  6. Oh my! This is what I’ve been feeling led to do also – go to bed early so that I can get up early and write. I, too, have been having a tough time doing that.

    “I don’t want to be disobedient. It destroys the anointing, and other has consequences as well.” This is definitely food for thought! Thanks!

    1. Thanks for sharing here how He is speaking to you, Jerralea! I’ll be praying for you as I get up to write, too!

  7. Groooaaaannnnn. This is definitely me. I am so bad at wasting my day sometimes, I just get started on what I really needed done that I start things almost at bedtime, and then, I sit and type on computer, work on scrapbook project for daughter, sew, etc. Then I am looking at 10:30 or 11:30 to even get ready for bed….NOOOO! But, I have set a time to wave, blow kisses and give air hugs to my grandson every morning on his way to school to encourage him in being excited about learning. God has suggested nicely that I watch my time and quit at a certain time, no matter what is done, or not done. Gotta use the phone alarm… that’s a gotta. Thanks for the word.

    1. Oh, friend! So glad to see you here! I love how you said he suggested nicely. lol He’s got so much in store for you! It’s not just bedtime for me, but I’ve noticed other things lately. He’s been showing me that If I can be trusted to be faithful in the little things, He will allow me to be faithful in much. Remember that verse? That’s for you, too. 🙂

  8. “My linking arms demonstrates my obedience.” Yes! Our obedience opens up so much healing and guidance from the Lord. This is so well written Kelly!

    1. Yes, it does, Crystal! Thanks for the compliment. 🙂

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