Careful How You Walk

We’ve all had those times where we have tried to be careful how we walk. It might be try- ing to sneak down a hall or into a room without waking someone up. Maybe it was before day- light on a crisp winter day and you are trying not to make any sound so that you don’t spook the deer you are hunting. Either way, you have probably taken careful thought of your physical steps at some point in your life. What about spiritual steps? Have you thought about the way you spir- itually walk through this life? Ephesians 5:1 says very simply, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children….” It is a simple statement but if you are like me, it doesn’t feel simple to put into practice. How am I supposed to imitate God? He is holy. He is powerful. He is all good and loving. Thankfully, Paul spells it out for us. Walk in Love Paul says, “Walk in love, just as Christ also loved you…” (Ephesians 5:2). Examine the way you speak to others. Examine the actions you take. Do those two things reflect the love of Christ? The definition of Christ’s love, as he goes on to say, is that He gave His life for us. That sacrificial love is pure and unconditional. Walk as Light Paul spends much of this chapter talking about the things that we should avoid so that we can live as a reflecting light of the goodness of God. Paul told the Colossians, “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son…” (1:13). We were all once darkness because of sin but “now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light” (Ephesians 5:8). The result of that Light–it’s fruit-“consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth” (5:9). Walk as Wise “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as un- wise men but as wise” (Ephesians 5:15). It is so easy to get distracted by the things of this world. It is so easy to waste a lot of time. Our current generations struggle with this in several ways, but chiefly the cell phone. It is so easy to waste hours and hours of time on it. But don’t forget the charge to “make the most of your time, because the days are evil” (16). There are plenty of things to waste your time and energy on, but God wants you to use those things for Him. You want to imitate God? Live out your life in love as you work to shine the light by wisely staying out of sit- uations that will bring more harm to your life. God has a purpose for you. He came in love, light, and wisdom for you. Now, go imitate Him.