“Distracted walking may cost you”

Enlightened Christians will perceive the double meaning of the above title from an article in USA Today. Many States have laws against texting and talking while driving; but now States are making it illegal to text and talk while walking. Some are issuing fines for careless walking. More proactively, the state of Delaware posts warning signs near crosswalks, “Look Up: Drivers aren’t always looking out for you.”

In Scripture, walking is a metaphor for the Christian life. From the first pages, God and Adam walk together in Eden. Thereafter, walking depicts the choice of right over wrong, God over self. With that backdrop, Paul says “be careful how you walk” (Eph 5:15), the word “careful” meaning cautiously, guardedly. Interestingly, the Greek word is "akribos" from which we get our English word “acrobat”—one who walks a straight and narrow line or tight rope.

There are many distractions to make us stumble or fall. The prevention is not unlike Delaware's: Look up! In Biblical language, “Lift up your eyes” (Is. 51:6); “Fix your eyes on Jesus” (Heb. 12:2); “Do not anxiously look about you” (Is. 41:10). And most importantly, be careful when you are walking in the dark. Jesus said, “Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going” (John 12:35). So, Paul says: “At one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8).