On The Walk

I've been suiting up for some serious spiritual battle this month.

I try to do this every morning. Ephesians tells us to put on the full armor of God. My armor consists of Avia running shoes, sweats, a t- shirt, and an ipod full of inspirational tunes.

I hit the trail with a peppy beat and get ready to do battle with my self. Insecurities, bitterness, fear, self pity, worry, regret. You know, the yucky stuff. I sweat it out of my pores.

There I was, huffing and sweating and crucifying the old self.

And then I saw him. A young man, walking slowly ahead of me on the trail. He wasn't swinging his arms and pounding to an ipod. What kind of workout was he hoping to get? I was nearly upon him, ready to pass him by, when I did a double take. His arms weren't swinging because his hands were joined, as if in prayer. And he wasn't pounding because he was walking, slowly, in bare feet.

We shared a "Good morning", and I passed him by. But thoughts of that young man have accompanied me on every walk since that day.

In her book "The Artist's Way", Julia Cameron states that there is a real connection between the sole and the soul. I feel it with every step. Walking away from an old life, an old self, taking off the old clothes, naked. Putting on something new. A new self, a new attitude, a new creation.

I'm not ready to give up my old Avias just yet. But I can still feel the stirring of my soul through my soles. It's a good feeling.

"To be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:23, 24