View Blog Entry

My husband and I have three Newfoundland dogs: Harvey, Baloo, and Daisy, a nine-month-old rescue puppy.

Harvey is the eldest. Arthritis has made his joints stiff, so sometimes walking is difficult for him. Exercise is crucial for his resilience and well-being. We have all learned to adjust our walking times to accommodate how he feels.

The perfect conditions for a good stroll are when it’s cool and dry. On those days, Harvey feels great and walks well. On other days, he still wants the company and exercise, but he is slower and needs to take his time, spending a little longer sniffing and taking a few breaks to rest. And he needs encouragement, so I walk next to him and tell him how well he’s doing. Every time I say, “Good boy, Harvey,” he walks a little farther.

Paul knows the Colossians exercise strong, confident faith, and there is order, unity, and harmony among them. His heart is with this fledgling church, and a part of his joy is that they are growing in faith and knowledge—without needing an apostle like him to be there in person. The Colossians have taken responsibility for their spiritual walk.

We need to own our spiritual walk too, and commit to journeying with Jesus every day. Regardless of how we’re feeling or how our day appears, continuing in our walk with the Lord is crucial for our resilience and good for our well-being.

And we don’t do it alone. The Holy Spirit understands the highs and lows of life and walks beside us through it all. He encourages and spurs us on. The Father sees our heart and everything we do for Him. He tells us we are walking well.

Make sure you stay in step with God and keep walking well.

(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)