Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces (Proverbs 13:20).

Who you walk with makes all the difference.

On the Camino de Santiago I walk with different companions every day. Some in our group I’ve known for years, and I have also met pilgrims new to me along the trail. I discover wisdom among old friends and find wisdom among the new folk if I spend enough time with them.

Wisdom shows in all shapes and looks. Often wisdom grows among those who’ve lived the longest. Give me experience and the scars of life in a leader.

One of the foolish notions of our cultural moment enshrines wisdom among the young. A popular singer once crooned: I believe that children are the future, teach them well and let them lead the way. What foolishness—pity a people ruled by capricious children. It pays to avoid fools (remember bad company corrupts good morals).

Instead, walk among wise people if you really want to get ahead in life. It’s a primary step toward a future fulfilled and contented in the Lord.

Camino de Santiago 2023

Photo: gentleman in a village along the Camino

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

As I walk the Camino de Santiago my mind wanders. I think about lunch, then dinner, and snacks in between. I notice another pilgrim’s backpack and wonder what country makes that brand? I worry about the NBA playoffs (as I root for the Denver Nuggets). It’s hard to stay focused.

Which is one reason God gives me something to think about. I keep the commands of the Lord, his holy Scriptures, in front of me, whether I’m sitting at home or walking the Way of Saint James. Even a brief thought goes a long way. If the Word of God is living and active, then a dose every day infects me in valuable ways, and begins to affect transformation in my heart.

If your mind wanders like mine, encourage it to stumble back to the Bible and all that’s contained within. Talk about the scriptures with a friend or within a small group. Write about  them in your journal. Impress them upon your children.

More than sports or shopping to social media, thank the Lord for giving you something solid to think on day and night as you journey through life.

Camino de Santiago 2023

Photo by Aaron Burden

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise (Ephesians 5:15).

The actual walking trail of the Camino de Santiago varies. Crushed gravel makes up parts of the path. In other places you walk on asphalt, or a dirt track, or a concrete sidewalk. At times the way turns rocky, with thick roots spanning the trail. You must keep alert for changes underfoot.

Signs helpfully mark the trail, too many to get really lost. Plus, lots of helpful people will point you in the right direction. But failing to pay attention can cost you several extra miles.

Blisters emerge as the most painful problem when you walk 10-15 miles day after day. A bit of dirt in your shoe leads to days of painful tramping. Wise pilgrims plan to avoid blisters, and have a plan in mind to treat blisters. You really can’t be too careful with your toes.

A great deal of thought goes into preparing for a good experience in the Camino de Santiago. It pays to carefully watch our plans and practices.

In the same way, Paul reminds us to carefully watch our lives. If a week of hiking in Spain requires a great deal of attention, how much more time and energy should I give to my hike through life?

It’s wise to prepare well for a long, tough journey. It’s even wiser to carefully consider our walk with Christ.

Camino de Santiago 2023

Photo – direction post on the Camino de Santiago

You groped your way through that muck once, but no longer. You’re out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true—these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it (Ephesians 5:8-9 in The Message).

We arrived in Spain for the Camino de Santiago, then spent a few days getting situated as we bumbled through jet lag and walked around as tourists. However, we left our rooms yesterday for our first day on the trail as pilgrims—those in search.

Once you declare yourself a pilgrim you take on a different identity. You launch out toward more, a new land or a new identity. Some pilgrims travel the world ever searching, and we may meet a few on this journey. Most stay close to home yet search all the same, never fully comfortable, hearts restless for who knows what.

But as Jesus pilgrims, we step out into the open. We walk confidently into the light of Christ. This journey for many is not to discover faith, but to experience our walk with Christ in fresh ways. Over the years I’ve learned that tired feet lead to deeper souls.

Where will you walk this week? Take Paul’s advice and put your pilgrim’s feet into motion. As Paul says, figure out what will please Christ, and then do it. It’s the figuring out part that takes introspection, and the doing it that puts us on our feet.

Camino de Santiago 2023

Photo by fellow pilgrim Steve Morgan