Walk Tall, Walk Well, Walk Safe, Walk Free

A recently enjoyed read is Graham Usher’s The Way Under Our Feet: A Spirituality of Walking. Graham is now Bishop of Norwich, and so was an ecumenical colleague during the latter part of my time as Moderator of Eastern Synod. Graham clearly has a great love of walking and frequently enjoys it as a spiritual experience. He writes: “Walking refreshes me and slows me down. The gentle movement relaxes my body, while the rhythm gives me time to think, so that those complex thoughts and worries that spin around my mind are sieved and sifted, memories are filed and my head becomes somewhat clearer,” adding, “Walking helps me to pray and leads me to encounter God: it’s as if I have a companion at my side, or up in front leading me on, or whispering from behind, encouraging me to take the step I dare not, but need to take.”

Usher recognises the value of walking in all sorts of ways, not least as he sees the model that Jesus offers and the challenge that he brings. “Jesus entrusted a small community that he had shaped to go out and walk his message. Those disciples’ walk would change the world as that message ‘gained legs’. Within a few years of his death, the words of Jesus would be walked to the ends of the known world, and as people were baptised, so the wet footprints of the totally immersed could be seen going in every direction! Acknowledging this, St Paul echoed a phrase of the prophet Isaiah ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’ (Rom. 10.15). He could see the power of walking in telling the story of what God has done for the whole world in the birth and life, passion and death, resurrection and ascension of his son, Jesus Christ.”

Walking can certainly play a helpful role. “We may be heartened by this prayer from South Africa: Walk tall, walk well, walk safe, walk free and may harm never come to thee. Walk wise, walk good, walk proud, walk true and may the sun always smile on you. Walk prayer, walk hope, walk faith, walk light, and may peace always guide you right. Walk joy, walk brave, walk love, walk strong and may life always give you song.”