Walk

*After taking a break from writing reflections this summer, I am back! I provide this weekly reflection to inspire your own reflection and connection to this scripture. I invite you to read the scripture first to see what word, phrase, or image speaks to you. 

Ephesians 4:1-6
Unity in the Body of Christ
 
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+4%3A1-6&version=NRSVUE
 
This summer, my family was able to take a short vacation, just five days, but it was five days of rest and play. We went to Monterey to show the boys the iconic Northern California coastline by driving Hwy 1. With one son who loves animals and one who loves marine life, visiting the Monterey Aquarium was definitely on our itinerary. In fact, we were all pretty excited about it.
 
As we were walking on the sidewalk to the aquarium, one of our sons was walking beside me, and he slid his hand into mine. I cherish this time when our boys still like to hold our hands. Another son was walking next to my husband in front of us, and they were also holding hands. I think it might be important to note that these two sons are fourteen and fifteen, so it is not lost on us that this is a rarity, and they chose to hold our hands.
 
As we walked together to our destination, we were unified in that moment with our excitement and with our love as a family. I think this is an image that could be used for Paul’s message about unity in the Body of Christ. There are many times that our sons do not want to hold our hands, and there are many times that peace is far from our household. But in this particular moment, we were unified, walking together to the same place, and that was what Paul wanted to teach the Ephesians. Their church was divided on many issues, but Paul wanted to remind them they are unified in Christ. Despite their differences, there is something that unifies them – Christ’s love.
 
The word “walk” drew my attention in this scripture because it suggests movement. It’s action. So many times we intellectualize our faith, and we set our minds on not budging over a conflict. The phrase “lead a life worthy of your calling” (v.1) from another translation also suggests a more intellectual approach. However, “walk in a manner” (v.1) invites me to conduct my faith walk at a slow, steady pace that can result in lifelong transformation. Even when disagreements and conflicts arise with others and even within myself, I can keep walking toward my destination, which is Christ.
 
Sometimes, we become couch potatoes in our faith or we become marathon runners who burn out before we reach the end. Some folks even prefer skipping! On our walk to the aquarium, my son and I watched the other pair in front of us, skipping, hand-in-hand, down the sidewalk. If you’ve never seen a near-fifty-year-old dad skipping with his son in public, it’s something you should see. A woman saw them coming toward her, and she moved off the sidewalk to get out of their way. As they passed her, she said, “Skipping is a lost art!” She appreciated their unified joy, love and excitement and encouraged it.
 
I’m more of a walker than a skipper, and my son and I were just as unified in our slower stride as the skippers. We all will have variations in the manner of our walking, and that’s ok, as long as we keep moving, keep acting, and “make every effort” (v.3) to be unified in the Body of Christ. May we all “walk in a manner” that reflects Christ’s love.
    
Reflection Questions:
Are you a walker, skipper, or running in your faith?
Which mode seems to work best for your lifelong transformation?
Is your faith walk active or stagnant right now?
What is one thing that you can do to keep “walking in a manner” that reflects Christ’s love?
 
Pray: Pray for someone who feels stuck or burned out in their faith.
 
Action: Work to overcome a division with someone. Find something that you have in common. (hint, hint…is it Christ?)

*New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America.