For the last couple of years I’ve been interested in trying out a pair of Skechers Shape-ups; the shoes with the sole that is rounded in the middle and are promised to give you a work out while you wear them. Since I’m always looking for new ways to include more exercise into my day I thought those shoes might be worth trying, but at the prices I was finding I wasn’t sure they would be worth that much.

I recently found a pair at a really good price so I finally bought a pair. The information that came with the shoes said that the effect of their rounded sole design makes it like you are walking on dry sand and warned that you shouldn’t wear them all day right away, but begin by wearing them for short periods to get your muscles used to the additional effort required to walk in them.

We all know how taxing walking in dry sand can be and amazingly enough, these shoes really do give you that effect. As you walk they cause you to use muscles in your legs that normal shoes would never work and they activate your core muscles with every step. Another thing I noticed about the shoes is that they change the way I walk. They force me to walk more carefully because, with their round soles, I want to be sure that my foot lands exactly where it should and they force me to shorten my stride, which actually causes me to walk more efficiently.

This experience got me to thinking about the many verses in the Bible that speak to walking with God and walking according to the path that he sets for us. One example that comes to mind is Psalm 89:15, “Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.”

It takes time to learn how to walk in God’s ways and to live a life that brings Him glory and acclaim. It takes time in God’s word and time in relationship with Him each day. But regardless of the time and the effort it takes to learn to walk in God’s ways, the benefits vastly outweigh any effort we make.

Every day, may the cry of our heart echo the words that Moses spoke to God in Exodus 33:13, “…teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.”

Learning to Walk, 

Mark