Walk, Stand, Sit – Where Are You in the Progression?

Have you ever been “window shopping”? Whether you’re strolling along Fifth Avenue in New York City, Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles, or Flagler Drive in Palm Beach, window shopping can lead you into places you never expected to enter.

You start by walking down the street, passing shop after shop. A window display catches your eye, and you stop to take a closer look. Standing in front of the sparkling glass, your attention is focused on a particular item, perhaps so much so that you’re drawn into the store. If the establishment is high-end, you might even be invited to sit while the salesperson brings the item to you for closer examination.

Although it may have happened unintentionally, the progression takes you from walking to standing to sitting.

A More Dangerous Progression

Psalm 1:1 includes a similar, yet more dangerous progression (emphasis added):

“Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers” (ESV).

Much like the shopping illustration, did you notice the progression in this verse? From walking to standing to sitting.

Who are you walking with?

Walking can take us in various directions. And my direction is often influenced by those I’m walking with. Maybe I didn’t start out with these walking companions. Perhaps I caught up with them or they caught up with me. Either way, when I come to a fork in the road of life, I could be influenced to take a different direction—one that exposes me to interests and priorities leading me away from God’s best for me.

Who are you standing with?

It’s one thing to keep walking, but it’s another to stand. To not just pass through a place where I don’t belong, but to stop there. To allow temptation to catch my eye as I admire it. Wonder about it. Toy with it.

Who are you sitting with?

Standing leads to sitting. The temptation that caught my eye now catches my heart. I sit with it, desire ignited. And the result is yet another progression. As James 1:14-15 (ESV) tells us, “Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”

A Better Alternative

David described a better alternative when he wrote Psalm 23:1-6.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

When we walk with the Lord, He leads us in paths of righteousness (v. 3), even through the valley of the shadow of death (v. 4). We are able to stop in refreshing places (v. 2). And He prepares a place for us to sit with abundance, even when surrounded by trouble (v. 5).

It’s never too late to change walking companions and direction. Or to walk past temptation so as not to be enticed to sit with it. The choice is ours—not just once or twice but minute by minute, hour by hour, and day by day.

Walk, stand, sit. Where are you in this progression? Who are you with? And where is it leading you?