Taking a Walk in Ogden

Sunday, October 3.

Weeks ago, when it seemed clear that God was directing me to move to Ogden, Utah, I began viewing Ogden on various Internet maps. I scanned the neighborhood where my son lives and found other spots I knew in town. At the same time, I found the Ogden City website and began to read about the community. Then, I used the map to locate a few of the places I had visited and read about in the downtown section.

• The "Historical 25th Street" was easy to find. The street begins at Wall Street, across from the Union Station, and extends two long blocks to Lincoln Avenue. At around 1900 these blocks were packed with saloons, restaurants, pool halls, and hotels, all catering to the travelers passing through Union Station. By the way, the first transcontinental railroad passed through Ogden and the "golden spike" that joined East and West was driven into a tie at Promontory Point, about 25 miles to the north and west.
• Nearby is a plaza that I visited with my family at Christmas-time some years ago; various businesses and organizations created "Christmas Scenes" throughout the plaza, which was blanketed by snow.
• The Municipal Building is located in the large block next to the plaza. This is the heart of Ogden City government.
• One large block north 25th Street is "The Junction", a recently redeveloped section of town where you will find a large theater complex, Gold's Gym, Fat Cats, and a variety of restaurants and recreational facilities.
• One block north of "The Junction" is a large city block containing the Ogden Mormon Temple and the Ogden Tabernacle.

As I scanned the maps, locating these and other landmarks, I wondered what God intended to do with me in Ogden. I had no invitation to serve a local church. There was no job awaiting me. But, I had a growing sense that God had something new for me to do . . . not new for God, but new for me!

As I reflected on the possibilities, I was curiously moved to walk around the center of Ogden. When the Children of Israel entered the promised land, they marched around Jericho on seven consecutive days. Although the parallels between that biblical story and my adventure are limited, I decided to "take a walk" around Ogden.

So, on Sunday afternoon, I had Sandra drop me off near Union Station, and I walked. I walked south on Wall to 27th Street. Then I went east on 27th to Washington Avenue, the main street of downtown Ogden. North on Washington to 22nd I walked. I turned west on 22nd and walked to Wall Street, then turned south toward my starting point. Sandra picked me up about a block from where she dropped me off.

Halfway through the circuit, I realized this would be a longer walk than I had expected. Here are some other impressions . . .

• I was a bit surprised to find myself walking through the edge of what must be a poorer neighborhood.
• I walked within a block of the Ogden Rescue Mission.
• I saw numerous financial institutions.
• I noticed that "The Junction" has a place where you can surf, and another place where you can fly!
• Passing by the Temple and the Tabernacle, I noticed talk iron gates and fences, with security cameras in strategic spots. I wondered, "Are they trying to keep people in, or out?"
• I skirted the edge of a block containing the Ogden Police Department and the main Fire Department.
• I noted that there were numerous empty and/or abandoned buildings of various shapes and sizes.
• There were two taco stands on Washington, in front of the Municipal Building . . . being on a diet and having no cash, I passed by, looking with longing at the taco makings!
• I was pleasantly surprised to find that most businesses were closed on Sunday . . . a refreshing discovery!

As I walked, I prayed. I encountered relatively few people, but I greeted those I met with a smile and a brief word or a wave.

Just as the walk, about 2.5 miles, was longer than expected, I sense the spiritual and practical needs of Ogden are greater than I imagined. I asked God to use me in some way to touch the lives of the people He loves.