Walkingstick, the Cherokee Warrior of God

Walkingstick, the Cherokee Warrior of God

It was 11:07am when I noticed a native man bouncing in with a heart of worship before the Lord.

I soon got the chance to talk to him and learned of who he was. He was who I had heard about, Tony Walkingstick, a Cherokee man of God, one who told the story of the Cherokee people of the Eastern Band.

Tony was to be at his 'post' from 2pm until 'dark-thirty' (Indian time) and excitedly, I granted him promise of a visit.

Late that evening, we walked up. He pulled his "grandpa" (drum) out, set everything up (prayer bowl, flutes, shakers, ceremonial goods, etc) and began to talk with us, educate us on Cherokee heritage and present the Gospel as to how it is and was alive to and within the native people. This Cherokee native told us stories, taught us language, sang native songs and prayers, opened up the depths of his heart and shared his life with us willingly.

After 3.5 hours of sitting on the edge of our seat and seeing his genuine heart and passion for his culture and God, Tony expressed how encouraging it was that we stayed, listened and shared in Christ with him (2 Corinthians 1:5, Acts 2:42-47). You see, many people walk by, take pictures, listen for a minute or two and walk off thinking that they know the culture and history of the Cherokee people. This hurts, to say the least. He told us how excited he was to get to simply visit with us and encourage each other in the Lord because he doesn't get that too often while working.

He had a sense of abandonment in his eyes.

By the end of the night, 'Stick', who also taught us the bear dance & taught me to even say 'big bear' (the name I have given myself in Cherokee), was full of strength, life and pumped with encouragement and joy! I got a chance to see deeper into him, his pains, his victories, more testimonies of the Lord in his life and listen as we gloried in the Father together! He then, at 12am, gave us a ride home.

Isn't it interesting that often one of the greatest ministries we can have is the simple act of spending time with someone and listening?

Among your brothers and sisters in Christ, don't forget to spend intentional time, listen, go out of your way to encourage them and speak over them and surface or build on the character of Jesus that is planted within their DNA. This is ministry amongst the believers at it's best – listening, loving and living in Him together!
 

————————————

It is my joy to find him in the streets each day at his post, as today, and share in the beauty of the day and Lord with him!

Now GO, find your Walkingstick!

After my visit with Tony (day two of getting to know him) and his friend Buddy (right).