Going Afoot

Mrs. Charles Cowman, noting in Acts 20:23 that the Apostle Paul had sent his companions along the shore by sea while he had chosen to go alone and “afoot” (KJV), pointed out how important bits of solitude are for the cultivation of the soul: • It was in the eerie solitude of Beth-el, and in the gray dawn by the ford Jabbok that Jacob was granted visions of God. • It was when he was alone in the silent desert that Moses was shown the burning bush. • It was when Joshua walked unattended under the stars by the wall of Jericho that the Captain of the Lord’s hosts stood before him. • It was when Isaiah was alone in the temple that a live coal touched his lips. • It was when Mary was alone that the angel brought to her the message of the Lord. • It was when Elisha was ploughing his lonely furrow that the Prophet’s mantle fell upon his shoulders. • Abraham wandered and worshiped alone. • Daniel dined and prayed alone. • Jesus lived and died alone. Ah, it is good to be “minded to go afoot” sometimes, said