Do you feel like you’re letting God down?

[Insert your name here] walked with God.

“Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took Him.” Genesis 5:24

Have you ever felt like you’re letting God down? Almost as though you’re not holding up your end of the bargain. Maybe guilt is probing at your heart, highlighting all the areas you’re lacking in.

Recently I’ve been wrestling with these questions, wondering if God is disappointed in me as I toiled over whether I should be doing more for Him or be a “better” Christian. I felt the weight of the lies, thinking it all hinged on me and whether or not I wrote a book or possibly grew a bigger ministry. I worried I would miss out on what He needed me to do, and it all began to cause an overwhelming amount of anxiety in my heart. My anxious thoughts developed into fear- fear that I was missing out or even worse, missing Him. I didn’t want to stand before Him one day and think He would be like a disappointed father, wondering why I fell short on my “assignment.”

As I wrestled and worried, I came across Genesis 5:24 and I knew it was God tenderly and lovingly pointing out the beautiful truth my heart needed.

“Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.”

If you look up other translations of this verse, you’ll read:

Enoch walked faithfully with God. (NIV)

Walking in close fellowship with God. (NLT)

He spent His life in fellowship with God. (GNT)

Enoch habitually walks with God. (Literal Standard Version)

Each translation I read quickened my heart and shined a light on the lies I was carrying. The only details we know about Enoch are that he is the 7th man from Adam and that he lived during a time when everyone was turning away from God (remember the flood?), yet he still chose to-faithfully, closely, in fellowship, and habitually walk with Him. Hebrews 11:5 tells us Enoch’s life pleased God. We don’t have a large list of all Enoch accomplished on earth. But God, with great purpose, made sure Enoch’s life and his relationship with Him were recorded in the Bible.

In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus invites us to not only walk with Him but provides us with another beautiful reminder, so lean in my friends. When Jesus spoke the words, take my yoke upon you, those around Him would have recognized these words as an invitation into discipleship. This phrase was used by Jewish rabbis (teacher) and talmidm (student/disciple) in which the disciple adopted the rabbi’s teaching and interpretation of the Torah (the law). A yoke was a rabbinic interpretation and application of the Old Testament law. At the time Jesus walked the earth, the religious leaders were putting unnecessary burdens on the people. The legalistic yoke they required the Jewish people to carry was heavy and unbearable. An endless checklist to follow and accomplishments to be deemed worthy. The Pharisees followed the law meticulously and then some, but they were prideful, quick to judge, and Jesus exposed the state of their heart (Matthew 23). Though they appeared righteous, they were far from God. Jesus offered something better to His people and to bring them back to the Truth. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. In Him, we find rest for our souls!

We can also take a look at the famous interaction between Mary, Martha, and Jesus (Luke 10:38-42). Martha was literally serving Jesus in her home, but her heart was far from Him and she became frustrated that Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus while she was doing all the work. Let’s take a look at these verses:

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Mary chose the good portion. Her heart desired to just be with Jesus. Another beautiful reminder to slow down, breathe, and spend time with Him. Even in the doing, our heart can rest at His feet. He helps regulate our emotions!

Our toiling can come from a slew of different things. For me, I find myself getting swept away by earthly goals and expectations thinking my worth is in my output, what titles I hold, what I accomplish and even the type of car I drive. This can carry over into my life as a believer, lost in the whirlwind of approval and needing to do “big, important things” in order to matter. I can easily make it into an idol. From Enoch’s example, God desires us to just walk with Him. To turn our hearts to Him and know Him more. We can honor God in all we do- whether that is rocking a baby, cleaning the dishes, being loving even when someone is rude to you, serving meals to the homeless, or loving on our family. A righteous life is not a big list of grand accomplishments but rather a life lived in faith, believing and trusting in Jesus day after day.

When we walk with God, everything else will flow from our relationship with Him. The fruit of the Spirit will blossom in our lives and those around us. God can absolutely use us to carry out His purpose but first and foremost, He calls us into fellowship with Him. If we make the wrong choice or get lost in the doing, I believe God is faithful and will get us back to where we need to be.

If you find yourself struggling and wondering if you’re doing enough or whether you’re worthy of His love (P.S. you are!), take your feelings as a signal to pause before our loving Heavenly Father and return to Him. Slow down and stroll with the Lord by reading His Word, pondering His goodness, praying, and learning more about Him. I promise you will find great rest and purpose for your soul.

Now say, [Insert your name here] walked with God. Amen! Just be with Him, friends! That is where the peace is!

I would love for you to add your name and walked with God in the comments below so that I can pray for you.

In His love & grace,

Amber

Breath prayer to focus on this month:

Breathe in: I walk

Breathe out: with You, Lord

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March & April Study:

Join me for our Lent study, Walking with Jesus.

This 7-week Lent reading plan is designed to help you walk with Jesus—we will dive deep from His calling to His resurrection and look at how we are called to follow Him daily. We will learn how to stay in step with Jesus-, walking, talking, and pausing at His feet. I pray this plan will deepen your faith and prepare your heart for Easter.

Each week includes:

• A theme to focus on (The Call to Follow Jesus, Walking with Jesus in the Wilderness, Walking in Love, Walking by Faith, Walking Toward the Cross, Walking in the Power of the Resurrection, Walking in the Spirit)

• Weekly Devotional

• Weekly breath prayers to focus on

• Daily Scripture readings

• Journaling pages for reflection

This Lent, may you grow closer to Jesus as you walk with Him—from His call to follow Him, through His suffering, to the victory of His resurrection. Take time each week to reflect, journal, and pray, seeking a deeper relationship with Christ.

Will you join me in walking with Jesus?

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What I am reading:

Ministry of Motherhood

By: Sally Clarkson

Song I have on repeat:

Perfect Peace by Tenielle Neda