01 02 03 Tattered Hymnal: I Want Jesus to Walk with Me 04 05 15 16 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 31 32 33

I Want Jesus to Walk with Me

34
Text: African American Spiritual
Tune: SOJOURNER
From Lift Up Your Hearts, 2013

 Several years ago, I was participating in a retreat with some people in the community where I lived and worked. We spent a weekend in the mountains of Colorado, and after one session, the speaker told us to go outside for a time and really listen to God's voice. Where was he? What was he saying?

 At that time, I was feeling distant from God, oblivious to where he was leading me and what he wanted to speak into my life. I was feeling guilty and wanted to make a change, be more disciplined, start a new project to help me feel closer to God. The answer I got was totally unexpected. It was intimate, personal and spoke right to my heart. That day, when I cleared space and really listened to God's voice, I suddenly heard him saying 

 "You may feel far away from me, but I am not far away from you. Turn around. I am still walking right here with you."

 The truth is, I couldn't get away from God even if I wanted to. He is everywhere. The psalmist says it this way in Psalm 139:7-10.

 Where can I go from your Spirit?
  Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
  if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
  if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
  your right hand will hold me fast.

 We can ignore or try to flee from God's presence in our lives. It's easy (and sometimes seems preferable) to walk alone when the road is easy. But when we are going through trials and sorrows we realize we need help. When we realize we're hopelessly lost, we are more apt to recognize our need for a guide.

 The phrase that sticks out in this week's hymn is "I want." He is with us no matter what. He is everywhere. But when we want and desire to experience his presence, we truly reap the benefits of a life walked with Jesus. We can turn and see him beside us. We can draw on the power and companionship he offers. We can get to know him better. And the longer he walks with us, we will inevitably realize that we are not even the ones setting the course. God himself is the one inviting us to walk with him. He is calling us to a deeper trust and understanding of himself, and his very presence gives us courage and strength for the journey.

 This week, the recording of the hymn is not me... Both because I didn't have time to get it recorded, and because this guy does it far better than I ever could. Listen to these words and allow the reality of God's desire to walk beside you bring you to a new understanding of his presence in your life.


I want Jesus to walk with me
I want Jesus to walk with me

all along my pilgrim journey
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me

In my trials, Lord, walk with me
In my trials, Lord, walk with me
when my heart is almost breaking
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me

When I'm in trouble, Lord, walk with me
when I'm in trouble, Lord, walk with me
when my head is bowed in sorrow,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

Labels:

35 36 37 38