I’ve been doing a lot of walking lately… walks with a friend, solitary strolls, birding walks, wildflower hikes, the-sky-is-blue-and-the-sun-is-shining walks. Sometimes I have a destination, but usually I’m just glad to be out enjoying nature.

God describes our life with Him as a walk. Over and over He tells us to walk in His ways. We are to walk in the light, not the darkness. We walk in the truth, not in falsehood. We walk humbly, not with pride. We are walk faithfully, obeying His commands. We walk in love.

As I was looking up “walk” to see just what God says about it, the verse that really caught my attention was  Leviticus 26:12: “I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.” [italics mine]

God isn’t a travel agent. Travel agents make the arrangements for your journey. They book the airline ticket, reserve the hotel room, and send you off with a handful of brochures. Then they stay home and wave good-bye, have a nice trip. Sadly, many people treat God as if that was exactly what He does. We hear His plans, His direction for our lives, and off we go, looking back over our shoulder calling, “Thanks God, see You when we get there!”

Rather, God is a tour guide. He knows the ins and outs of everyplace we’re going. He knows how to get there, the history behind what we’re seeing, the best spots and the pitfalls that await us. He even knows what’s coming next! Best of all, He doesn’t just wave good-bye—He accompanies us every step of the way. Isaiah 30:21 says, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”

And 2 Corinthians 6:16—“… As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.’”

God won’t abandon us. He doesn’t send us off alone on the walk of life, even when we think we know the way. He wants to walk with us. Even when we can’t see Him. Even when we don’t feel his presence, He’s there. Nehemiah recalls, “Because of Your great compassion You did not abandon them in the desert. By day the pillar of cloud did not cease to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take.” (Nehemiah 9:19)

I love taking walks. But even more, I love walking with God. I want to be the one the psalmist describs: “Blessed are those … who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.” (Psalm 89:15)