CROSSWALK

Author~ Rica McRoy

Rica was born in Orissa, India and immigrated to America when she was two years old. She was raised in a loving, devout Hindu home, but at the age of 28, beheld the beauty of Jesus Christ and her life has never been the same. The desire of her heart is for people from every nation, tongue and tribe to know the great delight of being fully known and fully loved by Christ and for that knowledge to compel them to share His grace in radical ways.

This is how we know we are in an intimate relationship with Him: anyone who says, “I live in intimacy with Him,” should walk the path Jesus walked.
1 John 2:6

You could draw a straight line from the bumper of our car to the front entrance of the conference we were attending, so we began to take a short cut through the grass to cross the road. Just then, one of the people in our group started walking in the opposite direction. We followed him simply to stay together. It was then that I noticed a man with a bright vest standing in the middle of the road. He was positioned in a portion of the street that had been painted with diagonal lines, known as a crosswalk.

As we crossed the road, the man greeted us with a warm “hello” and a smile almost as bright as his vest! During our lunch break, a torrential downpour ensued. A friend went to retrieve the car from the parking lot across the street, so I wouldn’t get soaked. As I was getting in the car, I saw him out of the corner of my eye. A neon rain poncho covered his bright vest as he faithfully stood in the crosswalk in the pouring down rain.

The conference ended late in the afternoon and skies were blue again. I headed out, ready to make a beeline for my car. As my foot hit the grassy shortcut, I remembered him. He was standing in the middle of the road, greeting me with a grin. I turned up the sidewalk to utilize the crosswalk and said to him “I almost forgot you were here!” He said “I wondered if you were just going to take your chances with the oncoming traffic.” We chuckled and I left.

A few weeks later I found myself stepping in another crosswalk. I was halfway across the road when I saw the red flashing hand signaling it was not safe to walk. Then, I noticed two policemen in uniform who were standing on the sidewalk. I said “I just broke the law! Sorry for jaywalking.” They laughed and one replied, “Don’t worry, there is grace for you today!”

I heard God speaking to me through those recent crosswalk experiences. He reminded me that my life’s journey to follow Him is made one step at a time. Each step carries with it a choice, do I walk His way or my way? God’s way is a passage that has been mediated and marked by Jesus, my Savior and Lord. The CROSSWALK isn’t always the easiest route, but it is always the best route. When I trust and obey Him, He is there. On the days when I chose convenience over commitment, He is there. When I take my chances with oncoming traffic, He is there. And for those times when I look up and realize “I just broke the law!” I hear a voice that declares “There is grace for you today, so keep walking MY way!”

PRAYER

Precious Father, thank you for the Cross that bridges the chasm that our sin creates. Jesus, there is no one like you! You laid down your life so that we may live righteous, redeemed and free! Holy Spirit guide us to the CROSSWALK as we gratefully respond to Your outpouring of grace. Teach us to follow in the footsteps of our Savior as He leads us into abundant life.

REFLECTION

What does in mean to you to “live in intimacy” with Jesus?

How can you learn to walk the path Jesus walked?

TREASURE HUNT

1. Read Ephesians 5:2, 8-11and 15-21.

According to the scripture, what is does it mean to “walk in love” ,“walk in light”, and “walk in wisdom”?
2. Glance through Luke Chapters 3-8. Record how Jesus walked, who walked with him and where he was going.

FAITH IN ACTION

Put on your spiritual FITBIT this week! Take time this week to consider your steps carefully. Are you walking YOUR way or are you connected to God by the Cross? If you are a follower of Christ, do you remain in the CROSSWALK overwhelmed by guilt or covered by grace? How can you ensure your steps are illuminated by the light of God’s wisdom and love?