September 7, 2022
“I do admit this to you, that I am a follower of the Way… ~ Acts 24:14 CEB
I’m looking for a good Bible verse to carry with me on the pilgrimage. I discovered that “walk” appear 211 times in the Old Testament and 76 times in the New Testament. Apparently much of the story of faith involves walking. God “walks in the garden at the time of the evening breeze” in Genesis. The Hebrews’ journey of liberation from slavery in Egypt involved 40 years of walking. Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee. He walked alongside two downcast disciples on the road to Emmaus. Paul tells us “We walk by faith, not by sight; walk in love; walk in the light; walk in him.”
Did you know that the earliest followers of Jesus were not called Christians? They were called followers of the Way. Christianity was never meant to be simply another religion, but a Way. It’s a journey that you take and a path that you walk on. It’s in constant motion, not static. In my personal experience, it is not just one choice, but a lifetime of choices that shape us on the way. It’s rather ironic that “Camino “is way or path in Spanish.
I’m reading “Walk in a Relaxed Manner: Life Lessons from the Camino” by Joyce Rupp. Relaxed isn’t one of the words that comes to mind as I think about preparing myself physically or spiritually for this journey. I’m a “counting miles and keeping track of my pace” kind of person. I’m competitive – especially with myself. That flies in the face of walking in a relaxed manner.
It just might be time to leave my smart watch at home and enjoy the path. ~ Anne
Wayfinding 