Early in the Scriptures we encounter the mysterious and brief story of Enoch. His story is all of seven verses from life to… well, he actually never dies. We’re told in Genesis 5:24 that Enoch “was not there because God took him.” Enoch, in stark contrast to everyone else in the genealogy listed in Genesis 5, doesn’t experience death. If that doesn’t grab your attention, then I don’t know what will!

Remember that death is the result of sin. Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit and death enters the story as a consequence. Sin is passed down from generation to generation and with sin comes death. So, Genesis 5 gives us a list of the descendants of Adam and Eve and notes that everyone eventually dies from sin. Yet, when we get to Enoch’s story, this rhythmic account of life followed by death is interrupted. Enoch goes from life to heaven. He skips death. My first thought is, how do I get in on that!?

Enoch walked with God; then he was not there, because God took him.

Genesis 5:24 CSB

So, what is Enoch’s secret? How did he cheat death? We know that it can’t be that he was sinless. Scripture elsewhere tells us that everyone sins (Psalm 14:3; Romans 3:23). The key to Enoch’s blessed ending is in an expression that is repeated twice about how he lived. First in verse 22 and then again in verse 24 we are told that Enoch “walked with God”. That’s it. We don’t get color commentary on what “walked with God” specifically looked like. Our imaginations must consider the possibilities. Was he a simple farmer who faithfully followed God while living a simple life? Was he always stopping and asking God for advice? Was a he a kind and generous servant of the poor? Was he on the front row of weekly worship singing praise to the Lord? What did this man’s life look like that he gets this high honor of being known as one who “walked with God”?

The ESV Study Bible tell us that “the Hebrew verb for ‘walked’ is a distinctive form that conveys the sense of an ongoing intimacy with God.” So, there was something in Enoch’s way of living that generated a distinctive intimacy with God that was uncommon across generations before him and after him. He had a relationship with the Lord that was rich and vibrant. He must have a had great love for the Lord as well.

I like that the word “walk” conveys ongoing motion and activity. A relationship with God is not meant to be like getting a stamp on your passport–“I’ve been there and done that!”. No, a relationship with the Lord is a dynamic and ongoing experience. It’s more like going on an adventure with a dear friend and talking with them about each step of the journey. It’s about following Jesus where he is going and keeping in step with the Holy Spirit.

I remember a sermon that our Lead Pastor Jason Smith gave once that called us to a deeper intimacy with God. I can’t remember exactly what he said, but it was something like “You get exactly as much of God as you desire.” In other words, God is offering us a full and abundant relationship, but we often only take a small piece. We may hold back because we’re too busy. We may hold back because we don’t actually believe that God truly loves us. We may hold back because we don’t want to give up control. Whatever the reason, God isn’t the one holding back, we are.

In fact, the Gospel reminds us that God has already come all the way to us with full reconciliation in hand. He came to earth and died for us on the cross so that we would be reconciled to him. Our sins no longer separate us from him. Even more than that, Jesus rose again from the grave so that everyone who trusts in him gets to escape death! Enoch isn’t the only one who cheats death! God came close to us in Jesus and offers his full love. Therefore, the ball is completely in our court.

I recognize in my life there is room for growth in experiencing intimacy with God. I’m both inspired and challenged by Enoch’s account. I want my life to be a “walked with God” life. But, for that to happen I need to make sure I’m prioritizing my relationship with him. I need to safeguard my daily prayer-time. I need to go to God in prayer throughout my day–and not just at the beginning. I need to spend longer moments of stillness with him at the forefront of my heart and mind. I need to be a better listener to the voice of God and His Spirit. I need to read the Scriptures often and with greater passion. I need the grace of God to help me take step after step in this “walking with God”. I believe he will help me as I earnestly seek him.

How about you? Do you want 2022 to be marked by a deeper relationship with God? What do you need to do differently? I encourage you to make “walking with God” your aim today and this year. I pray that God blesses you to say at the end of this year that you “walked with God” and that you are closer to him entering 2023 then when you entered 2022.

Go Deeper: Think of a time in your life when you felt really close to someone, maybe a friend or family member. What made that relationship so wonderful? How might that same thing help your relationship with God?