A Walk to Fill My Head

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“A deer longs for streams of water. God, I long for you in the same way. I am thirsty for God. I am thirsty for the living God. When can I go and meet him?”
-- Psalm 42:1-2 (NIRV)

 “I’m going for a walk to clear my head.”

I’ve been living that mantra for over a decade. I am a (slow) jogger, and when injured, I walk. Outside. I only travel a little over three miles round-trip, but this has become such a habit that I just can’t stop. But it’s not a time when I clear my head, but rather when I fill my head.

It’s 45 minutes of worship, prayer, and growing with Jesus. Sometimes I listen to messages from different churches than mine. Sometimes I listen to my worship playlist. And sometimes I love the silence, where nothing streams from my phone, and I can hear nature. I even pray aloud at times. Luckily, I live in the countryside, so there usually isn’t anyone around to think I’m crazy.

This spiritual discipline of devoted time with Jesus has taken years to develop. But it’s like an addiction. I joke it keeps me sane, keeps me from being a monster.

Recently, an injury forced me to completely take a break from my jog/walk in nature routine. And while God does want us to rest, this downtime left me low, stressed, anxious, and giving into temptations where I was previously stronger at fighting them. I kept asking God what was going on. Why were all things feelings, emotions, and failures against temptations happening right now?

Then it hit me. The special time I enjoyed with Him almost daily was gone. And I was thirsty for it. I was living what Psalms 42 describes. I was thirsty for God. And I needed to go and meet Him. You see, I was having a forced break on what I needed the most. My body, mind, and emotions needed this time back with Jesus.

With my injury on the mend, I have been able to walk again. Those 45 minutes have already blessed me in tangible ways. I have less stress, better overall mental and emotional health, and stronger willpower against temptations.

And the crazy thing is that the end of Zephaniah 3:17 says, “He will sing with joy because of you." (NIRV) As I strive for the spiritual discipline of precious worship and prayer time, He sings with joy! What a marvel! And it’s real. I can feel it in the way my stress leaves and my willpower strengthens.

Questions for Reflection: 

1. Do you have a time allotted in your daily life to spend with Jesus? Where could you fit it in?

2. What spiritual discipline do you need the most help from Jesus?