“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise.”     Ephesians 5:15 (NASB)

So there I was walking swiftly down the hall at work, sporting some really cute three inch heels with no back strap. (I know this detail means very little to the men reading this, but all of the women are shaking their heads knowing what’s coming next or wondering if I got a great deal on the cute shoes.) As it goes, my right foot landed a bit sideways on one of my steps causing my whole foot to turn in and me to slip. 

Instinctively, I looked around after regaining my balance wondering if anyone saw what happened. Then, I began to check the floor as if something on the perfectly clean floor caused my slip up. Seeing nothing, of course, I resumed my walk even more confident and purposeful on my mission. 

Much in the same way, I occasionally slip on my Christian walk – OK, so it is more like frequently. Then, I catch myself acting in a similar manner as I described above. It goes something like this: I am speeding through life, moving swiftly down the halls of time. I do something I know goes against my Christian way of life and beliefs. I might join in the gossip, use some unflattering vocabulary, judge someone before I give them a chance, skip Bible study, and the list goes on and on. Upon realizing my slip up, I worry – wondering if anyone noticed. Did someone who knows I am a Christian notice I wasn’t “walking the talk”? Or worse did I cause someone else to stumble? Maybe negatively influencing a non-Christian who saw me and thought, “… And she’s a Christian?!” Next, I look for someone or something else to blame. Creating excuses like I have been really stressed lately, someone was mean to me, nobody’s perfect! I brush aside my mistake and before you know it, I am well on my way again. Full steam ahead. Zooming through life until the next stumble. 

Isn’t that the way it usually happens? You don’t mean to trip, slip or falter as a Christian, but it just happens – when you least expect it. Ephesians 5:15 reminds us to watch our step. Be wise in your Christian walk. The next verse clarifies the reason:

“…making the most of your time, because the days are evil.”  Ephesians 5:16

You don’t have to look far to find evil in our world. Furthermore, time is often not our friend. It is up to us to use our time wisely and to make the most of the days we are given. 

All the more reason to be careful how you walk and … watch your step!