|
Looking for some motivation to get more active? Ever thought about what it would be like to Walk with Jesus? This fitness challenge takes the first year of Jesus’ earthly ministry– and sets a daily challenge to walk the same steps that Jesus did! During Jesus’ first year of ministry– between 27 and 29 AD– our Gospels sketch a rough itinerary of locations and events that He traveled. All of these together map out to about 575 miles. 'Walk with Jesus' breaks down each of these journeys– and points out:
|
|
|
|
575 miles can be divided up a LOT of different ways over the course of a year. From early April– when we plan to start– there are about 270 days left in 2026– which would be JUST over 2 miles / day. Most people walk about 4,000 steps (2miles) per day doing their normal daily walking! Maybe, this is a plan that you want to EXTRA steps for health– while you Walk with Jesus– adding ‘devotional time’ walking alongside Christ. Based on ability, others may choose to do shorter increments of 5 or 10 minutes at a time. You could choose to team-up with a ’walking-buddy’ (!); if you each do 1,700 steps per day, split between 2 people, then you hit the 3,500 per day needed as a team! Still others, who have mobility issues– can choose to do chair-aerobics for their steps– lifting a soup can over your head (while sitting) counts as a step; just like lifting your leg (while sitting) counts as a step! We can work together to find the pace and pattern best for you! Remember– this is supposed to be a positive adventure– right? Hurting ourselves by forcing this exercise isn’t a good idea. Each of us should strive to find a pace that is do-able, while challenging ourselves to form a devotional habit; spending time every day walking with Jesus! Here are some statistical recommendations for a healthier life, remembering that each ‘step’ can be a variety of activities.
You can choose to walk anywhere you like– walking privately or sharing time with others… at the church, Kids-America, around Lake Park… It is highly recommended to pickup a digital, wearable pedometer (sold many places, including our local Walmart {$5} )- or download a step counter app on your Smartphone! These make the tracking MUCH easier!
How does all this work?
Click the "Get Started' link at the top- to join up on the Walk and you will be emailed the fist 'LEG' (my goodness– these puns are terrible) of the Journey with Jesus traveling from Nazareth to Bethany-Across-the-Jordan. Participants are encouraged to read through the information over the course of the days that you take each part of that section’s journey. The first journey is 75miles– so it may take a while! Maybe read some Scriptures one day. Look into the info provided on that part of the Geography or history. Spend your time– during your walk to think on the Scriptures you might read… or visualizing each step with Jesus. Take time to pray with Christ– as you walk along together. Talk about your day… your troubles… your questions and your hopes. Realize that you aren’t walking alone– and (in fact) you never were! Visualize yourself leaving those troubles, sins, confession, problems and nonsense of your life behind– as you walk to each new step of the journey with Christ.
Along the way, you’ll find that it’s the JOURNEY that’s important– not the goal. It’s our daily choice to Walk with Jesus, that defines a better life. As you find your pace– you will be knocking out those miles one way or another. Everyone has to find their own pace and set their goals accordingly. For example, if you can do 7,000 steps (3.5 miles), you can finish this challenge in about 4 mnths– then you can help others complete their steps– as a Walking Buddy! If you can do 2,000 steps per day– and you find a ’walk-buddy’ who does the same (sharing the challenge together) you can finish together! We will celebrate our achievements together in worship– marking our progress on a map– and encouraging one another. Remember– it isn’t a RACE or competition. It’s a journey– marking our own Walk with Christ along this life. Our steps along our path with Christ isn’t measured with a pedometer, but in our appreciation of His presence in our lives and our time sharing our hearts with Him!
How does all this work?
Click the "Get Started' link at the top- to join up on the Walk and you will be emailed the fist 'LEG' (my goodness– these puns are terrible) of the Journey with Jesus traveling from Nazareth to Bethany-Across-the-Jordan. Participants are encouraged to read through the information over the course of the days that you take each part of that section’s journey. The first journey is 75miles– so it may take a while! Maybe read some Scriptures one day. Look into the info provided on that part of the Geography or history. Spend your time– during your walk to think on the Scriptures you might read… or visualizing each step with Jesus. Take time to pray with Christ– as you walk along together. Talk about your day… your troubles… your questions and your hopes. Realize that you aren’t walking alone– and (in fact) you never were! Visualize yourself leaving those troubles, sins, confession, problems and nonsense of your life behind– as you walk to each new step of the journey with Christ.
Along the way, you’ll find that it’s the JOURNEY that’s important– not the goal. It’s our daily choice to Walk with Jesus, that defines a better life. As you find your pace– you will be knocking out those miles one way or another. Everyone has to find their own pace and set their goals accordingly. For example, if you can do 7,000 steps (3.5 miles), you can finish this challenge in about 4 mnths– then you can help others complete their steps– as a Walking Buddy! If you can do 2,000 steps per day– and you find a ’walk-buddy’ who does the same (sharing the challenge together) you can finish together! We will celebrate our achievements together in worship– marking our progress on a map– and encouraging one another. Remember– it isn’t a RACE or competition. It’s a journey– marking our own Walk with Christ along this life. Our steps along our path with Christ isn’t measured with a pedometer, but in our appreciation of His presence in our lives and our time sharing our hearts with Him!
