September 03, 2026 | Resources
One by one, names started being called.
Science award. Math award. Many other awards.
It was my high school senior-year awards ceremony.
Each student stood up, crossed the gym, shook the principal’s hand, and sat on the other side.
The “awards” side of the gym was filling up.
I started getting nervous.
All of this was being tracked and rated?
I didn't even know these awards existed.
Sports, I understood.
I was thinking about a track scholarship.
But this other stuff wasn’t even on my radar.
By the end, I was sitting with the students who had graduated… but hadn’t received any academic awards.
“I don’t ever want this to happen again.”
I started thinking about my life with God.
It wasn’t about awards or degrees anymore.
When my life was over, I wanted to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
You can live your entire life without asking how close you really are to God. Or pursue Him and focus on the wrong things.
I want to encourage you to keep going deeper.
So here are four principles that can help you walk closer to God.
Avoid Measuring Your Walk With God by What Looks Impressive
I used to watch ministers on Christian Television and think: Wow, these people must float on the air!
Then God moved me to Southern California.
My wife and I sometimes worked at Trinity Broadcast Network, and I began getting around some of those ministers.
Some were super authentic – everything you could hope a great man or woman of God would be.
Others were… really flaky.
I saw the “Hollywood” side of it. The celebrity aspects. And the romanticized version burned away.
Popularity and notoriety do not equal intimacy with God.
When you begin to settle with the Lord and wait on Him, your priorities change.
You want to do what God called you to do – and press into His heart.
But wanting to go deeper, and building your life around it, are two different things.
Block Off Time You Would Normally Spend on Yourself
Enoch walked with God for 300 years.
And had sons and daughters.
He was busy.
He had a family.
You do have to love your spouse.
You cannot neglect your children.
So when do you get the time in?
You may have to do it at night.
Burn the midnight oil.
Take some of those moments you normally reserve as “me time” and turn them into devotional time.
It can work with a busy schedule.
Usually, something has to give.
But clearing the time is only the beginning.
Discover What Helps You Go Deeper – and Repeat It
When I attended Christian university, a young man invited me to get up every morning and pray with him.
As I did, I realized: Hey… I can pray more than three minutes!
One day I prayed longer than ever before.
I was ready to tell the Apostle Paul, “You can retire now. I’ll take over from here.”
But I also knew there were deeper waters.
Once you have gone deeper with God, you begin to recognize the principles that carried you there.
Then you can go back to that place.
But knowing "the way in" does not mean every time with God will feel powerful.
Keep Waiting Even When It Feels Like Nothing Is Happening
Waiting on the Lord is the fast track to the deeper spiritual life.
But it can feel like a slow process.
You cannot enter without first slowing down.
Isaiah 40 says those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.
So spend time with Him.
Pray.
Worship.
Feed on His Word.
Let the Holy Spirit lead you.
You may not feel much at first, but keep going back.
God Is Inviting You to Draw Near
There are rewards in heaven.
They are tied to your obedience. Your love for the Lord. And faithfully walking the path He gave you.
You do not have to wait for a special spiritual season to begin walking more closely with God.
James 4 gives you the invitation: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
God wants you close.
Give Him the time.
Wait on Him.
Learn what helps you go deeper.
Then keep coming back.
You’ll find the real gold when you walk close with Him.
My encouragement to you: think of one principle that you can do this week to make more room for God.
Now pray this with me, out loud:
“Father, I want to walk closely with You.
Help me make room for You, wait on You, and not rush away when nothing seems to be happening.
Help me recognize what draws me closer to You.
Renew my strength. Lead me by Your Holy Spirit. Keep me faithful to the path You have given me.
I do not want to merely make it through my Christian life.
I want to know You.
Draw me closer, Lord.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”
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