Walk It Out

Welcome to my first “middle-of-the-week” post. For these articles, I want to share practical advice and tips on how to live a biblical life. The goal is to discard the over-complicated nonsense of the world and replace it with simplicity. Each of these practices, tips, hobbies, or bits of advice encourage and reinforce a simplistic life that stirs up joy and satisfaction. I want to help you realize that biblical women’s roles, responsibilities, and expectations are much simpler than expected.

And to find that simple Christ-filled joy means trading in unrealistic worldly expectations with small Christ-like habits.

Today, I'm share my favorite ritual- walking. The most underrated activity.

If you know anything about me, it’s that I love a walk. If you ask about my hobbies, walking is top of my list.

I grew up with a very close family. We made many traditions and familia choices to ensure we were a tight-knit unit. To this day, I look back on our walks and realize that that action helped cultivate such a close connection in our home. During our walks, we would share stories, plan family vacations, and, most importantly, enjoy each other’s company. While family walks happened semi-regularly, I specifically remember the countless walks I took with my mom. I believe it’s because of my mom I love walking. The walks with her were enjoyable, but the company made the activity even more special for me.

To this day, taking a walk (or two) a day is as much of a habit as having my morning coffee. Bryce didn’t necessarily come from a “walking family” like mine, but now our walks are like clockwork. We eat dinner, and then we take a walk. And it’s one of the most valuable times we have together during the day.

You might be wondering why I am so dedicated to my walks. Nothing is exhilarating or challenging about a walk; if anything, it’s monotonous and lackluster.

While that might be true for some, I take my walks for many other reasons. I’d choose a much more high-impact activity if I want an adrenaline rush or a runner’s high.

But for me, walks are:

• Relational

• Worshipful

• Mindful

• Motivating

• Decompressors
  

Day in and day out, we push ourselves to work harder, get more done, or go further. We hardly leave time in our day to quiet our hearts to hear from God, much less to get up, step outside, and walk. Walking is more than getting from point A to point B. The walks I’m talking about are purposeful, intentional, and habitual. That’s one of the most important aspects of a walk; that it becomes a habit.

For biblical women, a walk is a beneficial tool for our spiritual health.

Setting time aside for a walk is rhythmic, renewing, and reflective. Below are five reasons why you should incorporate a walk into your life.

Walks are RELATIONAL:

My first memory of taking walks was centered around my relationship with my family. Something about the rhythm of a walk prompts a conversation to flow with ease. It removes the distraction of the house, work, and our phones. You’re locked in on the people you’re walking with. You ask questions, listen to their stories, and share important things on your mind. Walks help us focus on those around us. There’s nothing better than someone feeling like they are being listened to. If you want to get to know someone, need a date idea, or want to catch up with a friend-- take a walk. A walk can’t create a relationship, but it can act as a backdrop to foster intentional interactions.

Walks are WORSHIPFUL:

If you decide to walk by yourself, use it as a time to be worshipful. Put in your headphones, and listen to a podcast or your favorite music. And LOOK AROUND! Whether you live in a city or the country, or if it’s overcast and dreary -- find the beauty around you. Being alone on a walk helps you become more in tune with your surroundings and physical ability. Praise God with admiration for his creation. Praise Him for creating you and a body that allows you to walk. Whether a 5-minute stroll or an hour jaunt, use that time to worship your creator.

Walking is MINDFUL:

If you’re walking alone, take it a step further, and walk in solitude and silence. This type of action allows you to turn your heart and mind to Christ in an intentional way. Walking without music felt unnatural at first for me, and the silence didn’t seem normal. That sentiment right there is such a testament to the culture we live in. We have such a strong aversion to silence we fill every moment with background noise.

Let your mind wander, and fill your heart with praise, gratitude, thankfulness, and petitions to the Lord. Let the rhythm of your steps set the tone of your prayers. Slow, steady, and mindful. You may be surprised by how clearly you can hear God speaking to you on a walk. When you separate yourself from the world’s chaos and make the time and space to hear from the Lord, mighty things can happen. God craves our attention and longs for us to draw near. God is ready to speak; we just have to be willing and prepared to listen.

Additionally, waking without headphones makes you more aware of your surroundings. You’ll be keenly aware of the people you pass and the faces you recognize. A simple wave sets the foundation for being a good neighbor.

Walking is a MOTIVATOR:

Something that is in motion stays in motion.

Our body is a temple, and exercise is one of the many ways we keep it holy. And for my non-athletic girlies (that’s me!), don’t let anyone tell you that walking is not good exercise. You don’t have to be in a competitive sport or benching heavy weights to maintain a healthy body. Walking is simple but effective. You find new limits when you walk, and you can push through them. You can walk longer, faster, and more often. Plus, your motivation to do other things increases once you’ve gotten your body moving. By moving your body, you’ve found the momentum to continue. By walking, you find a focused mindset that helps you complete tasks throughout your day.

Waking is a DECOMPRESSOR:

A few months back, I read that the best place to have a disagreement is while walking. It’s because you aren’t facing each other when you’re walking. Having an argument on opposite sides of the room, or face-to-face, makes it seem like you are against that person and not on the same team. But with a walk, you are side-by-side; you are on the same team. It decreases the tension and increases a sense of calm.

Furthermore, walking decreases those chaotic feelings when stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed. Your breathing and body’s reactions become calmer and more regulated. The steady pace of the walk keeps you balanced despite the overstimulation happening in your brain.

*****

As you can see, I am a big advocate for a walk. Nine times out of ten, I would say a walk will improve your situation. It’s a mental, physical, and spiritual practice that helps turn our hearts toward Christ. Scripture paints beautiful pictures of how Christ walks with us, the Lord being our shepherd, and how God led his people through this wilderness. We aren’t alone on this life journey; Christ takes every step with us. A walk can be a metaphor for how God is always with us. But it’s also practically beneficial to our well-being.

I encourage you to take a walk this afternoon, tonight, or whenever you finish reading this post. Be present, thank the Lord for the gift of walking, and let the simplicity of this action renew and refresh your mind.