"When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more because God took him away." -Genesis 5:21-24 (NIV)
Yes yes I know...these are not your typical bible study verses. Usually we study verses that are more directed to us and our lives, usually found in the New Testament. Usually, I would be absolutely surprised if a pastor or speaker could give a lesson on THESE verses. I mean what could you possibly get out of some verses talking about some random old guy from Noah's day???
Usually I would think this. Not anymore.
I just got back from a short, two day retreat with the Baptist Student Union. The speaker that talked was Michael Kelly. He definitely surprised me when he whipped out these verses during the first session. I mean, who heard of a speaker starting out a RETREAT with verses from the Old Testament, let alone verses about a genealogy??? Let's just say, I quickly became curious to what his point was going to be with these verses.
After some introductory talk, he began to share his main revelation/point with us. He started by getting us to imagine going on a walk with someone really close to us, whether that be a special someone, a good friend, or a beloved family member. At first, going out to take a walk with them just to have a conversation might be awkward. You might discuss school, what you ate for dinner, or what the weather will be like this week. You will probably be looking at your watch every second, wondering why minutes haven't gone by. But after this initial awkward walk, more and more come after it. Before you know it, you begin to discuss really deep topics, and share deep secrets with each other. This leads to a level of trust and honesty that both of you begin to appreciate. Before you know it, these walks of yours happen every moment you both can find free time. And remember the first walk when you almost stared a hole into your watch, trying to make the time go by? Well now, you don't bother checking the time. You could care less. You just want to prolong this moment as long as you can. You are totally absorbed and engaged in the conversation.
This isn't necessarily because you enjoy the conversation.
It's because you LOVE this person.
If this has ever happened to you at least by a fraction, then you understand what I'm talking about. Yes, when you talk with someone you care about deeply, time DOES go by fast. It is proven, even if scientists can't explain it.
At this point in the session was when Michael K came with his revelation. This example of Enoch, walking with God, is exactly THIS type of walking. It is not the "oh yes, you can walk with me during my life just to see what's going on and what my life is all about, but we might have to quit at certain points depending what comes up ahead" kind of walking. The Hebrew word here for "walk" is human locomotion without a specified destination. It is the walk that never seems to end. The walk that you don't WANT an end to. The walk that you are enjoying so much it lasts hours, days, years!
Maybe even 365 years.
So what can we learn from this short description of Enoch's life in this list of a family tree, in one of those old books in the front of our bibles that rarely gets read? That the Christian walk with our Savior should be one that seems to have no end. The walk that shouldn't have an end. The walk that CONSUMES our lives. The walk that has no specified destination.
The walk where God eventually says to us, "Hey, we are closer to My Place tonight...how about you just come home with me?"
