What Shapes You?

I like to walk. When I’m walking, I’m going somewhere. My feet keep propelling me in a certain direction and it makes me feel like I’m making progress. I like to walk because my body is physically active and it gives my mind time to think about things. I do my best thinking when I’m on a walk.

Every Sunday I take a walk. Every Sunday, sun, rain, wind, snow, I slip on my shoes and walk to church. On this walk to church I take time on the quiet streets of Sunday mornings to pray. I pray for our worship service, I pray for the Spirit to speak through me, I pray for our neighborhood, I pray. I take this walk every Sunday because it helps form me. It helps form me to be shaped not by my will and my ways but by the will of the Father.

When it’s cold and the snow is coming down hard sometimes it seems silly to take this walk but it’s those days that the walk seems most vital. It’s a reminder that no matter what is going on in my life. The good sunny times, the rougher rainy days, the bitter cold and snowy days that I can always cry out to God and he shapes me.

During Advent we take this time to specifically pause and ask how are you waiting on God? How are you letting the words, the presence, the guidance of God shape your life?

Scripture:

Psalm: Psalm 148

Old Testament: Amos 6:1–14

New Testament: 2 Thessalonians 1:5–12

Gospel: Luke 1:57–68

Prayer:

O God, by thy mercy strengthen us who lie exposed to the rough storms of trouble and temptations. Help us against our own negligence and cowardice, and defend us from the treachery of our unfaithful hearts. Search us, we ask you, and bring us to your safe haven of peace and felicity.

— St. Augustine