God Walk: Moving at the Speed of Your Soul

by Mark Buchanan

Drawing on Jesus's example of walking, bestselling author Mark Buchanan explores one of the oldest spiritual practices of our faith. 

What happens when we literally walk out our Christian life? We discover the joy of traveling at the speed of our soul. 

We often act as if faith is only about the mind. But what about our bodies? What does our physical being have to do with our spiritual life? When the Bible exhorts us to walk in the light, or walk by faith, or walk in truth, it means these things literally as much as figuratively. The Christian faith always involves walking out, as again and again we find the holy in the ordinary. 

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, and then he was off. The most obvious thing about Jesus's method of discipleship, in fact, is that he walked and invited others to walk with him. Jesus is always "on the way," "arriving," "leaving," "approaching," "coming upon." It's in the walking that his disciples are taught, formed, tested, empowered, and released. 

Part theology, part history, part field guide, God Speed explores walking as spiritual formation, walking as healing, walking as exercise, walking as prayer, walking as pilgrimage, suffering, friendship, and attentiveness. It is a book about being alongside the God who, incarnate in Jesus, turns to us as he passes by--always on foot--and says simply, "Come, follow me."

With practical insight and biblical reflections told in his distinct voice, Buchanan provides specific walking exercises so you can immediately implement the practice of going "God speed." Whether you are walking around the neighborhood or hiking in the mountains, walking offers the potential to awaken your life with Christ as it revives body and soul.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Christian Living, Spirituality, Faith, Christianity, Christian Non Fiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published July 14, 2020

About the author

Mark Buchanan lives in Calgary, Alberta, with his wife, Cheryl. They have three adult children, Adam, Sarah, and Nicola. He was a longtime pastor, an author of many books, and now serves as a professor at Ambrose University College in Calgary.

Reviews

[Philip Yancey]

Mark Buchanan is a fine writer, and has done his homework on a physical activity that most of us can do: walking. Done right, walking can become a spiritual activity as well.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A warm, winsome, wise and funny book about prayer walking. I loved the honesty of this book and the practical ideas to improve my own prayer life. Excellent writing that was entertaining and thought-provoking.

[Shanti Israni · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful, wonderful book that I thoroughly savored and highly recommend! Buchanan makes the case that most faiths have a physical component to them (yoga, tai chi, etc) and he believes that for Christians that physical component is walking. He points out how so many metaphors we use often revolve around walking. He talks about walking out your faith, John Bunyan’s “The Pilgrim’s Progress,” the Camino de Santiago, and so much more. It’s just such a lovely book. It made me appreciate walking and slowness all the more.

A sampling of some of the chapter titles:
- A Brief History of Walking
- Walking as Friendship
- Walking with Animals
- Walking as Prayer
- Walking as Attentiveness
- Walking as Remembering
- For Those Who Can’t Walk

The book also made me realize how I need less screens and noise in my life, which I can happily replace with walking. :)

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm an avid walker and was very interested in what Buchanan had to say about walking. I was intrigued by his comments on religions and physical disciplines. So many religions have such a discipline associated with it (yoga, tai chi, karate, etc.). But what about Christianity? Buchanan suggests walking. He notes that God walked in the garden, Enoch and Noah walked with God, Micah 6:8 instructs us to walk humbly with our God. Buchanan suggests walking as symbolic of knowing God.

In general, this book is a memoir. Buchanan shares his insights from his own walking experiences, from Bible passages, from books he's read and movies he's seen.

A favorite part of this book was when Buchanan realized that, rather than walking with God, he was studying maps (theology, doctrine, etc.). He could talk maps with others and debate maps. But he found he was walking less and less with God. (Loc. 318/2398)

Another favorite story was when his under driving age son did serious damage to their van. His wife suggested he go for a walk rather than explode at his son. He did. His mind cleared. His heart softened. God started to speak to him and he gained great insight into his own character. (Loc 1769/2398) That gave new meaning to the advice, take a walk.

This is a good book for Christians who want to explore the concept of walking and what it can mean to spiritual life and formation. You'll be encouraged to slow down, observe, greet others, pray, and more.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Yolanda Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure why the book on my Goodreads shelf changed to audio—I tagged the hardcover, and that’s what I read. No matter. Mark Buchanan has written another book that goes straight to my heart. No question he is still one of my favorite authors ever. God Walk was just what I needed, as I’ve been more focused on walking in the general sense across the last 18 months, and also as a necessary spiritual practice. I’m thankful for Mark Buchanan’s insight and application, and I pray these ponderings remain near for a while.

[Taeryn Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don’t mind me- just learning how to express my opinion to others; I mean no disrespect to the author (:

I really enjoyed Buchanan’s ‘Rest of God’ book. But this time around, his whimsical yet earthy writing style, thick with so many adjectives— well it just got on my nerves.

It almost felt like he was trying too hard to sound profound, almost felt like he wrote this book for himself and not others (I don’t have issue with this, just made it less enjoyable of a non-fiction read for me).

The book was full of anecdotes and stories, but none I found as practical in The Rest of God.

Anyways, there is my honest review!

[Kay Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

What he had to say was great and he is a good writer, but I was convinced of it in the first few chapters so it felt unnecessarily long.
I also did skip the last two chapters which were about exorcism and people who can’t walk….because I didn’t feel like reading them.

[Marinda Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

We chose this for our August family book, but I had no idea how much I'd enjoy it.
Mark speaks with a unique perspective (I'm reading another one of his books along with this) & wisdom.
I've always known walking was powerful, and I have read several secular books confirming that, however this is the first that I've ever seen/read specifically connecting walking to God and his character.
It's not just a gift for the body, it's so much more than that.
It provides us with an opportunity to commune with God at a speed rapidly being forgotten by our busy culture.
God speed.

[ladydusk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started strong finished OK. I have enjoyed contemplating how walking affects us - mind, body, and spirit.

Sometimes I think his examples were big stretches.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved listening to this audiobook during my early morning walks this week. I’ve learned so much and also was presented with so many things to ponder. I would like to buy the book and in a copy so that I could re-read it and highlight it.

[Meagan | The Chapter House · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book ended up being more memoir than I expected. Which is fine, just different.

I enjoyed the first half more than the second, and ended up skimming a bit until the end. I’m a big walker myself. And I certainly appreciated the relevance to my own life, discussions on pilgrimage (which I think about doing every now and again), and of course references to Lord of the Rings!

[Laura Luzzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am going to miss this book, meaning it stays on the shelf and will be read again. I will with this one down the road. I think this is a very special book. I took to it immediately. Fantastic thoughts for me. I used to be a great walker. I have some medical problems now, but no matter what, I still take my morning walk. And that is when I pray. My walk is short. Walk and pray works for me. I hardly pray otherwise. Maybe quickly in the morning and quickly at night a few seconds during the day. But when I walk, I pray, Conventional prayers of my religion. It is okay. That is what I do. I love the concept of this book. You are a Christian? Yes, we walk and we get closer and closer with each step. Beautiful!

[Ariana Ownbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

God Walk by Mark Buchanan was a really good book. I had trouble following in a couple places but all in all I really enjoyed it. My favorite section was chapter 7, Walking as Friendship. I loved the story he used about being a Jonathan for the David in your life! It really spoke to me! If you need an uplifting book about spiritual and physical well being this is it.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked some parts of this book; the idea of slowing down, physically walking with God, and the perspective of the apostles literally walking with God as they talked and learned. Other parts felt like rabbit trails, like the long section on dogs.

[Andy Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite book of 2021.

[Tom Greentree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks, Mark, for this terrific book. I’ve never heard a reflection on walking and spirituality and I throughly enjoyed it. Over the last two years, I’ve walked (and ran) more than I have in my entire life. Recently, with Covid social distancing restrictions being what they are on BC, I’ve been walking a lot more with parishioners and in spiritual friendship as well. It’s so rich, it’s something I’ll keep doing regardless of lifted restrictions.

I liked all the reflective chapters, but was particularly stuck by the ones on friendship, animals, prayer, and attention.

One favourite quote:

“Walking together feels more intimate and vulnerable than sitting across a table from each other, though that is intimate and vulnerable too. Maybe it’s enough to say that walking alongside another person opens up space differently from sitting face to face with them. When we walk together we encounter the world together. The dynamics of that—you beside me, me beside you, the earth beneath us, the sky above us, the world around us, the road before us—alters how we speak and listen and see and think. There’s more going on. We’re not just verbal but kinetic. The scene keeps changing. All this is more evocative than just sitting talking. Most of us are more inclined to remember a conversation had while walking than one had otherwise.” (pg 83)

[Ellen Rosenberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was given to me and it truly became a gift. Every time I cracked it open I learned something and was changed. I don't think I'll ever take a walk again without thinking of the lessons from this book. I really enjoyed the writing style and the dry humor of the author. Very thought-provoking and inspiring.

[Scott Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walking as both a gift of God, a sacrament, a characteristic of Jesus, and the plan of God from the beginning in the garden. He walks with us. We need not rush through our lives. Dare to walk with God and let his pace set our rhythm.

This is a true Christian classic. The type of book that should be read and returned to at least once a year.

[Brooklyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book that explains the simplistic yet powerful role walking plays in one’s redemptive story. This is an easy read, yet has such deep theology of the reader takes it seriously. Understanding that one’s story is part of a larger story and is moving at “God speed” is such a comforting and encouraging thought!! Loved it.

[Jessica Perteet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The chapters were short enough to read one each afternoon exploring the concept of walking as a physical spiritual discipline. I am now noticing more when the Bible talks about walking as a part of the Christian life.

[Dawn Dishman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Interesting and thought provoking to connect so much of our spiritual life to walking. I know this to be true, but the author beautifully depicts those connections much deeper.
God is not in a hurry like we are. He doesn’t seem to mind going slowly and walking takes time. so many experiences can only be done if we slow down and pay attention.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good thoughts. Absolutely a great idea to take time to slow down. Lots of extra words, sometimes a random story, but often just seemed like he needed a higher word count for the book. But then again, maybe that is his speaking style, and while possibly engaging, just made this book long to read.

[Marcas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A most readable account arguing for the centrality of walking to the Christian life, literally and metaphorically. Mark points to a number of scriptures and Biblical figures to make his case. Juxtaposing these with renowned travelogues, his own experiences, and some science on the merits of this neglected form of exercise.

We weren't made to be just sedentary beings and must walk for good health, to think straight, and to cultivate joy for embodied living.

Buchanan includes touching references to those not able to walk, in the Bible and more recently, to reaffirm its importance as a gift. However, he mentions that those who must remain still, still matter. God sits with them as much as He walks with us.

A worthwhile read for persons, like myself, who have taken the goodness of creation, our ability to walk, and these gifts for granted. Slowing down to God's speed would do individuals and society a whole world of good- there's no medicine quite like it. Now, I'll make my way down to the river for a stroll.

[Seth Cooney · Rating 3 out of 5]

God Walk is an interesting piece of writing for sure, but I did find myself underwhelmed when reaching the end. Buchanan begins the book by stating that Christians have perhaps forgotten an ancient practice that marks our faith--similar to how other faiths and religions have a core physical practice (tai chi, yoga, etc). Buchanan points out walking as such a practice in the Christian tradition.

Several writings between the Old and New Testament talk about walking with God, and the early church following Christ's resurrection was often referred to as "the way".

While Buchanan's work following his opening pages were good reading and even inspiring at times, it felt like it lacked a lot of depth. The stories shared felt a bit disjointed and surface level to the points being presented.

Overall, a very approachable read for those looking to broaden their thinking on walking as a spiritual practice in the way of Jesus. A decent book overall if you're looking for some insights into everyday practice and little challenge to thought.

[Pastor Talbot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Walking is good

I like walking, with poles or without poles on cross country skiing or without cross country skiing. But I don't walk enough and I like to walk fast. In this book, Mark Buchanan encourages me to slow down and not walk through life too fast; to be attentive to what is happening along the way and not just attaining the goal of my walk. The chapters on the biblical basis for walking and the history of walking are interesting. The book digs deeper as it progresses to application like friendship, attentiveness as well as suffering and healing. The point Mark makes throughout the book is that walking is not just a metaphor, but a practical discipline. It is hard to slow down, but I am working on it because I want to see God in the every day details of my life and continue to learn to practice his presence.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book about how you can connect with God, deepen your faith, strengthen your relationships, and get better overall health by walking. While the focus of the book is spiritual, it also addresses a large number of other topics. Mark Buchanan makes the book an extremely enjoyable read, and sprinkles it with some incredibly profound insights. In addition, Buchanan gives practical advice at the end of every chapter about how you can incorporate the thoughts from the book into your walking. That is the real strength of the book: from start to finish, Buchanan is entirely focused on encouraging the reader to put the book into practice by actually walking out the main points of the book.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mark Buchanan really is an excellent writer. The prose is so smooth, the turns of phrase make you smile and come back for more (confession: I read every word of the Acknowledgements section just for fun). Still, this book was slow going for me. There were a lot of musings and a few too many suppositions (referencing a Bible story and suggesting what *might* have been the context. Perhaps X, perhaps Y..). And I never actually took him up on any of the specific themed walks recommended at the end of each chapter (though they all seemed like great ideas).

A nice range of themes. One of the my favorite chapters, towards the end, was about those who cannot walk.

It took me more than a year to finish, but now that its done I'm a little sad. Would happily read another of his books.

[Carly Lykke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite book I’ve read so far this year!! An absolute treasure. Loved sitting under Buchanan’s teaching. I started on audible (fantastic narration) but quickly also bought a paper copy so I could interact with the text. As an avid hiker, runner, walker, this was just what my soul needed to consume. Filled with personal stories, and scripture references, it was a gem from start to finish. I really didn’t want it to end. A book about walking, Jesus, connecting the body and soul…. But mostly just about walking with God. What a gift!

[Graeme Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first heard about Kosuka Koyama’s concept of ‘the three mile an hour God’ during lockdown and was struck by its beauty. Mark Buchanan takes this idea and walks slowly through its ramifications for living out a life of faith in that God. It is a work of profound simplicity, not to be rushed, as it works its way down deep into your psyche.

One of the best reads for a long time and something I will come back to again

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a well-written book on the topic of walking (yes literal walking, as well as figurative) at God speed. Each chapter has a topic to ponder while walking, with reminders throughout to slow down on our way through life and listen to what God wants to say. I enjoy walking outdoors on almost a daily basis, so I have enjoyed each topic and being reminded to be more in-the-moment as I walk. My son-in-law recommended the book highly and I’m so glad he did!