I’ll admit, I’m a sappy, happy, hopeless romantic, and one of my favourite things to do in the whole, wide world is go for beach walks with my man. Yes, I am a living, breathing “I enjoy long walks on the beach” cliché! During our 33 years together (totally can’t believe we have been married nearly 28 years- WE ARE ANCIENT!), we have plodded, chased, strolled, jogged, and meandered along a plethora of beaches in numerous countries. That place where the ocean/ sea/ lake meets the shore is my special place, and I love being there with people I love. I just can’t help it.
Lyndon and I got to spend time walking this stretch of heaven a couple of weeks ago… and it was the most stunning beach I have ever seen. Walking on silk, I kid you not. For anyone observing us hand-in-hand, I hope they guessed we are in love. Whether we were laughing, deep in conversation, or basking in our own thoughts, I really hope these were the genuine vibes emanating from us as a couple, at least most of the time! It probably helped that we were in paradise rather than a grocery store, but we were walking in love, for all to see.
Where am I going with all this gushy, mushy stuff? If Lyndon and I stomped along that beach six feet apart, scowling, and even shouting at one another, it would paint quite a different picture. Deep down we might be walking in love, but others would have a hard time seeing it, and a hard time being interested in a relationship like ours.
What about our relationship with God? Is it real? Is it obvious? Is it buried under a pile of accumulated junk? Do people shudder or smile when they see us walking the walk and talking the talk?
When we weren’t hanging at the beach, we visited the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza, and it was breathtaking. I took lots of amazing facts away with me, but the one which hit me the hardest was expressed by our guide, a Mayan descendent. He explained how, in his words, the Christians came from Spain and sought to put an end to Mayan culture and religion. They physically tortured the Mayan people, stripped them of their weapons leaving them defenseless, and burned all their books and papers, bar three. And then forcibly presented their God. There was an understandable bitterness in our sweet guide’s voice, and I wondered at the time, “Where was the love?” How on earth could the “Christians” have barged in with a truckload of perceived obedience and determination to share their faith, yet not an ounce of love? What was there to draw the people to Jesus? Ugh. It happened throughout the ages and it happens today.
“And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.” 2 John:6
“…walk in love”
Why? Why do we need to walk in love? Isn’t walking in obedience, following God’s commands enough? Actually no, as it happens, it’s not. It can be demanding and tough and frustrating sometimes, and our humanness leaks out all over the place. That’s why we NEED His love to infiltrate every part of our walk. More of Him, less of us. It’s a win-win:
“This is the test of our love to God, our obedience to him. This is love to ourselves, to our own souls, that we walk in obedience to divine commands. In keeping them there is great reward. This is love to one another, to engage one another to walk in holiness; and this is the evidence of our sincere, mutual, Christian love—that we (in other things) walk after God’s commands.”(Matthew Henry’s Commentary)
I know; that’s a lot to spew out from a walk on the beach. But maybe next time you’re taking a stroll or a run or a power-walk, think about not only where you are walking, but how… and not just when you think others are watching 😉
One step at a time,
Linking up with some fabulous encouragers! Check them out:
love this!!But so true and very sad, how often things are done without Love which makes it so counterproductive!!I also think it May have been obvious too that you guys are in love, just maybe!!!xx
I know, right? Yet it says so many times in the Scriptures that we should act in LOVE… we definitely need reminding. And re the lovebirds thing, thanks Heidi, I really hope so… 🙂 xx
We love beaches, too! I always say Heaven is going to have the most beautiful beach 🙂 And, Amen! Walk in love – more love, less of us.
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Yay for beaches… oh I do hope there will be never ending stretches of glorious white sand in Heaven 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by—blessings to you !
Thank you. I am a “water” person… ocean, river, lakes, or whatever… and a cloud and moon and sun and sky person. I always “look” at the Lord in those situations and worship and glorify Him. So far, even when in our city, or other nations, I refuse, if possible, to go into any of the others that are worshiping the the other gods. In Morocco I made a mistake of that back in April, ’01, to be with others and take a picture. When I got home a few weeks later, I was struggling with my eyes and other portions of my body and a couple of my strong spiritual friends, including my husband who was not with me there, told me that the painfulness was a result of being in that place. SO I went to a church and I shared my sinfulness and they laid their hands on me to protect my spirit and my body. I got better very quickly. I’ve tried to be careful. Anyhow, now I’ll be heading out to worship and pray, b/c my husband came home and will drive me around so I can focus on Him. Sorry to say so much, but my brain and body issue doesn’t let me read and write as I did as a kid. Heading to Heaven is all that counts!! Bless you.
Hi Joanne, thanks so much for stopping by my blog and for sharing. Isn’t it wonderful to be able to worship the Creator and enjoy His creation? Blessings to you 🙂
Well said my sweet friend! Such an important reminder that others are watching how we live……
Hey Kim—thanks so much for your encouragement 🙂 Walking in love isn’t always easy (most of the time it’s plain old hard work!), but it’s what we are called to do, and the beautiful thing is that we aren’t walking alone—he is with us always… so thankful for that. Blessings to you!
Not just where (or what), but how…. yes! Love this, Laura. I’m reading “Christianity After Religion” by Diana Butler Ross and I must share this quote because it goes right along with your post:
“Belief itself is being enfolded into a new spiritual awareness as belief questions morph from what to how, from seeking information about God to nurturing experience of the divine.”
If we don’t have love, it’s all worthless. Thanks for this reminder among the beautiful beach and the ruins.
Thanks for this, Lisa… love that quote, I appreciate you sharing. It’s definitely all about the how 🙂 Blessings to you as you walk in His love!
Laura,
What a beautiful beach and Congrats on 33 years. And “Yes,” to walking in love….
Thanks very much, Dolly 🙂 And I could do with heading back to that beach about now… 🙂 Blessings to you!