Walking With God - John Eldredge

A journey of learning to walk with God...

One Sunday afternoon last fall, I strolled through the Barnes and Noble bookstore, biding time until daughter was done with her youth group. I love browsing bookstores, touching the sleek, shiny covers, taking in the scents of coffee and new, hot-of-the-press book pages. Fingers run over raised titles, wondering what treasures are hidden within the inky insides.... I waited patiently for one to jump out at me, catch my eye in a most enticing way, challenge me to take a closer look.


That particular day, it was John Eldredge's newest book, Walking With God. The title itself caused my breath to catch. I'd been earnestly seeking God, wanting to learn to hear his voice, walk closer.

Like a child excited to see a parent at the end of a long day, the book seemed to leap into my hands and after a few pages I knew I'd found my newest adoptee.


The first page wrapped itself around my heartstrings and wouldn't let go. Here's a short paragraph on the opening page:

It is our deepest need, as human beings, to learn to live intimately with God.
It is what we were made for. Back in the beginning of our story, before the fall
of man, before we sent the world spinning off its axis, there was a paradise
called Eden. In that garden of life as it was meant to be, there lived the first
man and woman. Their story is important to us because whatever it was they were,
and whatever it was they had, we also were meant to be and to have. And what
they enjoyed above all the other delights of that place was this--they walked
with God. They talked with him, and he with them.

For this you and I were made. And this we must recover.

The book isn't written in chapters. As Eldredge says, life isn't made up of neat chapters, with summary points at the end of the day. We live through seasons and that's how the book is divided up. Within each season, Eldredge shares his own stories, his own experiences of learning to walk with God.


There's something about sharing your own personal stories that helps others see and understand the basic truths this world is founded on. We all experience them. And we can help each other out most by sharing what we've experienced, learned, and fought for on our own journey.

I didn't sit down and consume the book in a couple of weeks. And it's not meant to be read that way. In truth, I read some, then set it down for awhile and kind of forgot about it. Every once in awhile, I'd pick it up and read a little more. Each time, it seemed to speak to a need or challenge happening in my own life at the time. Finally, a few weeks ago, I felt God stirring my heart to open it once again right where I left off. It was spring break and I had free time to go into a more in depth study, which isn't something that often happens while school is in session.

Laughter filled my small, morning-quiet office as I read the heading: Spring. A glance down at my calendar confirmed my question. The first day of spring had begun the day before. And such are the ways of God, I've been finding over the course of my own journey with him.



Does God still speak to us?


Listen to Eldredge speak through a series of videos (click the link above) about how God still speaks and directs us, even today.

He's also set up a website that expands on what the book says. There are videos, podcast, and audio teachings. Throughout the book is the link to show you where there's more on what he's talking about for those who want to go in deeper for more understanding.

If you're interested in learning what it means to hear God, walk closer to him and understand what it means to have such a life, then I suggest this book. It's opened my own eyes to so many freeing truths and most of all, it's helped me draw closer to my best, most kindest and generous friend- The Lord Almighty himself.


Product Details
Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (April 15, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0785206965
ISBN-13: 978-0785206965
Amazon's link for Walking With God