Knocked Down but Still Walking

I felt God’s call on my life when I was 30, and when I was 31 God didn’t just come knocking; he blasted the door wide open. God opened up some doors, if I’m honest, I would’ve never thought were possible. Six interviews later, I was hired at a large church here in Dallas. That was the good news. The bad news was, three months after I started I was told that my services were no longer needed. To say I was devastated is an understatement. At that moment I questioned whether or not I had mistaken a call on my life. I decided there were two things I could do: ask God “why me” or ask Him “what’s next?”

Enoch is an interesting character in the Bible. He only has a few verses attributed to him; however, the writer of Hebrews has him in the Hall of Faith. What we learn about his life in just a few verses is that he pleased God. He also never died. God just took him up! In Genesis 5, we read that Enoch was a man who “walked with God.” The word “walked” itself means someone who continuously was in step with God. For three hundred years, Enoch never ceased to walk in stride with the Creator of the universe. What does it mean for us to walk with God?

I often wonder if Enoch ever had any struggles. Scripture doesn’t tell us. Did he have hardships in his life? Did he have doubts? Did he ever question if God really had his best interest at heart? I wonder if Enoch asked the same questions you and I ask.

A year and a half after I was let go, God again opened up doors I could’ve never opened on my own. He brought me to First Baptist Dallas. He brought me to a place that stands on God’s Word, a place I am proud to serve.

Have you ever asked yourself, what does man have in common with God, which would even allow him to walk with the Almighty God? The answer of course is nothing. Nothing whatsoever, except the gospel. It is only by God’s free gift of salvation through Jesus that we are even capable of drawing near to God. However, once we accept God’s gift, there is another way. Walking with God means that despite our circumstance we still believe with all our hearts He is working in our best interest. True faith extends from the sunshine into moments when we don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. Faith is supreme to walking with God. And, walking with God is vital for a Christian to leave a legacy in this life. Let’s be like Enoch and walk stride in stride with the One who makes all things right.

Questions for Thought

1. Think of the last time you were faced with a challenge. Did you display faith or did you choose to walk on your own?
2.  How could leading a life of faithfulness in all circumstances help you leave a legacy of pointing people to Christ?

Child Connection Questions

People can learn to respond in positive ways to what happens to them. Sometimes bad things happen that make us sad, but we know that God is faithful and just. He will never leave us. Encourage your child to share some times when bad things happened to them. How did they respond? How should they respond the next time, knowing God is there to help?

Challenge

When you face trials, view your circumstances through Jesus instead of viewing Jesus through your circumstances.