I have decided to read the entire Bible again, starting in Genesis. I like doing that every once in a while because all the books in the Bible are important!
But anyway, while reading Genesis 5, something about Enoch caught my attention. It always does when I read this part.
Most of the chapter follows the same pattern. Someone lived. They had children. They lived several hundred more years. Then they died.
Over and over again, Genesis says, “Then he died.” But then we get to Enoch.
“Enoch walked with God; then he was not there because God took him.” Genesis 5:24
That’s it.
We aren’t given a long biography of Enoch. Genesis doesn’t tell us about everything he accomplished during his 365 years of life. We don’t know what he owned, how successful he was, or what other people thought of him.
Instead, Scripture tells us something much more important: Enoch walked with God.
I love the wording of that.
He didn’t simply believe that God existed. He didn’t occasionally turn to God when he needed something.
He walked with Him.
Walking isn’t one step. It’s one step followed by another, and another, and another.
I think our relationship with God is a lot like that.
Walking with God isn’t just going to church on Sunday. It isn’t reading our Bible once in a while or praying only when something goes wrong. It’s choosing Him again and again in the ordinary moments of our lives.
Some days we’ll take huge steps of faith. Other days, walking with God might simply mean getting up, opening our Bible, praying even when we don’t know what to say, resisting a temptation, forgiving someone, or trusting God when we don’t understand what He’s doing.
It’s a daily walk.
Hebrews tells us a little more about Enoch:
“By faith Enoch was taken away, and so he did not experience death… For before he was taken away, he was approved as one who pleased God.” Hebrews 11:5
And immediately afterward we’re told:
“Now without faith it is impossible to please God…” Hebrews 11:6
Enoch’s life pleased God because he lived by faith. And that makes me ask myself:
What do I want to be said about my life?
There are so many things we can spend our lives chasing. Success. Money. Recognition. Relationships. Accomplishments.
None of those things will ultimately define a life lived for Christ.
At the end of mine, I think one of the greatest things that could ever be said about me would simply be:
She walked with God.
Not perfectly.
Not without stumbling.
But faithfully.
One step at a time, following Him wherever He leads.
~~*~~
Lord,
Help me walk with You every day. Not only when life is difficult or when I need something from You, but in the ordinary moments too. Give me faith to follow You when I don’t understand where You’re leading me. When I stumble, help me get back up and keep walking. More than anything this world can offer me, I want a life spent close to You. May my life be one that pleases You and points others toward You.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
