I don’t think I’d have believed you, if you had told a younger me that I would so enjoy walking … but I do! My wife, Debbie, and I have made it our own and it has formed the backdrop to many a holiday, in beauty spots such as the Lake District or Norway.  

The Bible is full of significant walks. In the days long before electric cars and jumbo jets, walking was usually the only means to get around.  

Walking is something that almost everyone does, day in and day out. As I reflect on what it means to get alongside another person, it seems to me that walking is a fantastic picture of this.  

Finding a rhythm

I do a lot of my hiking in mountainous settings. Often this will be with members of my family, with friends or with groups that I lead. Every time, it quickly becomes apparent that people hike at different speeds and, in order to chat to someone as you walk, there has to be a deliberate choice to find a good rhythm together. This doesn’t always come naturally for me – I often find myself getting too far ahead of Debbie! But the rewards are there to be had for those who find a mutual rhythm. Over years of getting alongside individuals, many of the best conversations I’ve had with them have occurred while walking together.  

Ultimately, we know that the true alongsider is the Holy Spirit. Jesus says: ‘I will ask the Father and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever’ (John 14:16). The Greek word translated here as advocate is paraclete, which literally means ‘called to one’s side’. He is our counsellor, helper, comforter.  

Jesus’ imminent departure meant that the Holy Spirit would come alongside his disciples and then, years later, alongside us also. Paul in Galatians 5:25 tells the Christians in Galatia to ‘keep in step with the Spirit’. In the context of the letter, it’s a lovely picture of the choice to follow the prompting of the one who Jesus sent to draw alongside us. 

Learning from the journey together (Psalm 121) 

When we do find our rhythm with others, we will begin to experience life together. We will notice the things happening all around us. I am not the most observant person, but when out in the countryside even I cannot fail to notice the things around me.  

There are few better experiences in life than to see panoramic views suddenly opening up before you. Last summer while we were in Norway with a group of 20s and 30s we scaled the hillside behind where we were living. It was staggering to reach the plateau and make our way towards the edge, where you can see not only the fjord ahead, but also the village of Skjolden at the foot of the sheer cliffs.

It reminded me of the words of the psalmist in Psalm 121, who cries:  

‘I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.’  

These verses form part of one of the Songs of Ascent – a subset of Psalms, which were sung on the long pilgrimage up to the temple in Jerusalem. These pilgrims were used to looking around them on the journey and reflecting together on the work of God in their lives. 

At times, climbing mountains also presents us with huge challenges. Perhaps that is related to changeable weather or to a more technical part of the journey. We all know that life is like this too, as we go through times and seasons that are more difficult. The rhythm of walking together gives us opportunities to collectively experience and learn from all that God is doing in our lives. The remaining verses of the Psalm speak powerfully of how God watches over our lives in our ‘coming and going both now and forevermore’ (v 8). 

Keeping going

Usually, when we are out hiking, there is a distinct objective in mind. That might be a summit to be reached or some waterfall, viewpoint or landmark to be visited. As we make our way towards such an objective, we sometimes find that it’s not easy to keep going. My family will tell you that I am somewhat notorious for declaring the end to be in sight, only to find that it was yet another false summit.  

As we seek to get alongside others, we know that while the eventual destination is clear, there are numerous hurdles along the way. Life it seems is not so much like climbing a mountain, but more like walking a long-distance trail. Life is about going the distance, both through the good times and the hard times. 

The writer to the Hebrews often picks up on this theme of perseverance. The words below offer us a strong encouragement to look to the examples of those who have gone before us, in order to persevere along the path that has been marked out for us. Those around us need this help as well. We can get alongside them and witness what God is doing in his walk with them too. 

‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.’ (Hebrews 12:1-3)