Matching Steps

Can two walk together unless they are agreed? — Amos 3:3

Each morning when I walk I encounter an elderly couple. They are a delightful twosome stepping out just as daylight breaks getting their morning exercise. We always speak as I pass them, and sometimes we stop and share a few words.

I came up behind them one morning just as I was completing my walk and nearing my driveway. I slowed down because I didn’t want to startle them by closing in behind them at a fast clip. I completed the last hundred yards of my walk at a slower pace just observing them.

Walking behind them was a treat. It was cold so they were bundled up in hats and coats. And as I walked about twenty yards behind them I observed their pace. They walked so well together. Their steps matched perfectly.

I could tell they had walked together for decades, because they walked as one. Pace exact, right leg to right leg stepped forward, then left leg to left leg stepped forward. They had no thought of this—it came from a long standing relationship where the wife knew her husband, trusted him and kept time with him perfectly.

The husband matched his wife’s stride as well. He didn’t pull her along; rather their steps were exactly together. In their togetherness the endearing love they had for each other was transparent. Her arm was closely tucked under his arm and his other hand covered her hand, obviously to keep it warm. He walked closest to the street as a man does to keep his wife safe from harm. It was beautiful!

As I strolled behind, observing them I couldn’t help but liken their walk together to our walk with our Lord—our Heavenly Husband. Just as this woman and man had learned to walk well together from years of doing so, we too learn to walk well with our Lord as the years pass—our hand tucked into His, His hand covering ours to keep us safe and warm.

King David had a sense of this when he said:

I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
He saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around
those who fear him,
And he delivers them (Psalm 34:4-7).

What a wonderful life we have with our Lord. He is everything we need. He is a wonderful Husband, especially to those of us who have no husband.

Learning to walk with our Lord so that our steps match His, takes daily study of His Word, spending time with Him in prayer, obeying His voice, and then matching our steps with His. From our long-term relationship with Him, we learn we can trust His leading, no matter what challenges come our way.

From long-term trust in Him we know in our deepest heart nothing can thwart His plan (Job 42:2). Whatever comes into our lives comes for our good (Romans 8:28), and He will keep us through it (Isaiah 42:2).

Circumstances don’t always look as though they are good. We may have to weather the cold and step in the mud, but because we trust His Word we have confidence in the outcome.

And from long-term walking with our Lord we know that He will match His steps to ours, He will walk closest to our danger, He will tuck our arm in His arm and cover our Hand with His. There is nothing that will come our way that God won’t get us through. He has our life planned out before us.

For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose (Philippians 2:13).

God has a wonderful plan for your life and He will fulfill His plan. And because He has brought you this far you can know He will get you home safely! Just as the man who walks closely with his wife each morning, God walks closely with us. He loves us, He provides for us, He protects us and He will get us home!

Are you in step with your Lord?

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

Recommended Reading
Isaiah 43:1-5
Isaiah 48:17
Jeremiah 29:11-13
Lamentations 3:37-38
Amos 3:7; 4:13
I John 1

Copyright © 2009 by Peggy Britt. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.