Genesis 3:8 That evening they [Adam and Eve] heard the sound of THE LORD GOD walking in the garden; and they hid themselves among the trees. [Living Bible translation]
Genesis 5:22 And Enoch walked with GOD: and he was not; for GOD took him. [King James translation]
Summary
There are numerous verses in the Bible about walks and walking. It seems that even from the very beginning of humanity, GOD wanted to walk with us! There is strong evidence in Genesis that before “the fall,” Adam and Eve “walked” with GOD. They walked in a garden. In fact they must have walked together so many times, that Adam and Eve recognized “HIS WALK.” It appears that the walks were regular and consistent---that is before “the fall.” After “the fall” things changed. Instead of Adam and Eve going on their usual evening walk with GOD, after “the fall” Adam and Eve were a “no show.” GOD was there; but Adam and Eve were not.
Genesis 3:8 notes “that evening,” they [Adam and Eve] “heard the sound of THE LORD GOD “walking in the garden” but the instead they were no longer able to able to walk with GOD---because “of their fears” (verse 10), because their focus was on themselves (e.g. they were naked—verse 11); because they were too busy blaming others for their disobedience to GOD to repent to GOD and accept personal responsibility for what they had done (verse 12 and 13). They were simply out of sync with GOD. Their sin had ruined “the walk.”
Throughout Biblical history, GOD has invited others to “walk.” GOD invited ninety-nine year old Abram to “walk before ME and be blameless.” When Abram accepted GOD’s “invitation,” his name was immediately changed from Abram to Abraham. GOD was starting the transformation.
Enoch also accepted GOD’s invitation to walk. GOD and Enoch’s walk was so close some state that Enoch transformed “from mortality” into “immorality,” or did not experience death. The BIBLE says that Enoch “was not.” Maybe Enoch was “not afraid,” “not concerned about what others thought but more concerned about GOD,” “not the kind of person who blames others but instead, became the kind of person who asks GOD to examine at his own mistakes first” or “not the kind of person to let anything separate him from GOD.” Perhaps GOD just “took” the “old Enoch” and transformed him into something so different that people thought there was “a new man,” because of all the changes GOD made in Enoch’s mind, heart and spirit.
Perhaps Enoch looked at his hands and his hands looked new; he looked at his feet and they did too, because in routinely walking and talking with GOD, the “old” Enoch was transformed.
There are others who could testify about the transformative powers of “a walk.” Ask the two men who walked with JESUS on the road to Emmaus (Luke24:13-35); ask Peter about his walk with JESUS on the water (Luke 24:13-35); ask the man who had been complaining about his physical problems and his situation for 38 years who was simply told by JESUS to “Rise, take up his sleeping mat and walk.” (John 4:8) or Paul who left this instruction to a church: “For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Cor. 5:7). Read and learn about how a walk with GOD can be transformative.
Walking Can Change The Brain and Our Mental Health
Research suggests that the simple act of walking can change our mental health. Today, more than 50% of people now live (and we might add work) in urban areas. By the year 2050 this number may increase to 70% or higher. Although researchers note that it is not known why, urbanization is associated with increased levels of mental illness. In a controlled study, the researchers at Stanford University wanted to know if taking a 90 minute walk through a natural environment would basically improve mental health.
The scientists looked at “brooding.” Brooding is a “morbid rumination” or a kind of mental state where a person “can’t seem to stop chewing” over the ways in which things are wrong with themselves or their lives. This “broken-record” fretting is not healthy or helpful and has been connected with depression and is more common among city dwellers than people living outside urban areas.
The scientist asked a group of subjects to complete a questionnaire to determine their level of morbid rumination. They then randomly asked ½ the subjects to take a walk through a leafy, quiet, park-like portion of the Stanford campus or alternatively take a walk next to a loud, hectic, multi-lane highway in Palo Alto, a busy city. After the walk the subjects came back to the lab to complete a questionnaire and a brain scan. Those who walked near the highway still had high blood flow to their subgenual prefrontal cortex of the brain and their broodiness score was unchanged. Those who strolled along the quiet, tree-lined paths showed “slight but meaningful improvements” in their mental health, based on their questionnaire scores and their scans. They had less blood flow to the subgenual prefrontal cortex of the brain (which meant that portion of the brain “was quieter”) and they did not dwell on the negative aspects of their lives as much as before their nature walk.
Although the scientist noted that more research is needed, this study is consistent with other research regarding the health benefits of walking. For example there is research that even a two minute walk can help counter the harm from sitting all day at work in a chair. See, “A 2-Minute Walk May Counter the Harms of Sitting,” by Gretchen Reynolds, May 13, 2015. See also, “How Walking May Lower Breast Cancer Risk,” by Gretchen Reynolds, October 9, 2013; “Walking for Wellness,” www.Webmd.com.
If you are tired of “things” in your life, with your body, with your mental health or your situation, why not “take a walk.”
Transformation
GOD wants to walk with us. HE wants to transform our lives. HE wants to make us “new creatures.” 2 Cor. 5:17. The invitation to be transformed is still “open” to all.
Walk with GOD, be mentally and spiritually healthy, and BE BLESSED.
