Billy Graham once shared in a late-life interview what he would do differently if given another chance. He said he would spend less time travelling the world to preach the gospel and more time with the Lord. He expressed deep gratitude for his calling as an evangelist, yet reflected that in carrying out his ministry, he would have made more time first for God, so he could become more like Him, invest more in his family, and simply be present with fellow believers.

In Matthew 7:23, Jesus gives one of the most sobering statements in Scripture to many people who claimed they had done many mighty works in His name. You can possibly fit in any great ministry, company or project into that definition of wonderful works! They were great and impressive feats on this side of eternity that would have caused men to marvel and ears to tingle. They did this in the name of the Lord, not for any personal acclaim. Yet, the verdict Jesus gave them was not a commendation but a strong rebuke: “I never knew you.”

Jesus didn’t dispute the works they did or praise the feats they achieved. Instead, He condemned them on the basis of a lack of knowledge. They were doing works for and in the name of the Lord, but they did not have fruit in their lives.

This same principle is vividly illustrated in the story of Mary and Martha. Martha was occupied with serving, managing, organising, and hosting, while Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet. When Martha voiced her frustration, Jesus responded that she was worried and troubled about many things, but Mary had chosen the better part. His response was not a dismissal of service but a correction of order.

One may ask the question, does Jesus want us to choose between service and knowledge? Is it one or the other? The goal here is not substitution but proper ordering. He wants relationship before responsibility.

Jesus first chose His disciples to be with Him, before sending them out to do His work. God desires that we first learn to walk with Him. That walk then becomes the springboard of our work for Him. He desires walkers before workers.

Busyness for God is not a substitute for intimacy with God. It is possible to build, serve and lead in His name, yet neglect the very relationship that gives those works meaning. If God had a love language, it would certainly include quality time. When the order is misplaced, we risk doing many things in His name without truly knowing Him.

What Does It Mean to Walk With God?

Amos 3:3 asks:

“Can two walk together unless they agree?”

Walking with God begins with alignment of heart, will and desire. God is not the one aligning to our will; we are the ones to align to His will and His desire. God already knows all of us. There’s no part of us that is hidden from Him, so really, in walking with the Lord, we are the ones to come up to Him.

Scripture gives us portraits of men who walked with God:

1. Enoch walked so closely with God that he was taken away.

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2. Noah was described as righteous in his generation, walking faithfully with God.

3. Abraham walked before the Lord, and he was perfect.

Their distinction was not merely in their assignments but in their closeness to God. One of them even got the title of being a friend of God. Intimacy with the Lord provides the surest pathway to perfection. Enoch simply was “no more.” He was so close to heaven, he couldn’t even die a natural way. Noah was described as a perfect and just man in his generation, and God made a bold claim to Abraham to step into perfection by walking before Him.

So, how do we cultivate intimacy with the Lord?

1. Desire His Presence, Not Just His Benefits: Cultivating true intimacy with God requires a rewiring of motives. Many approach God for answers, provision or direction and while these are valid, intimacy begins when our hearts shift from seeking what He can give to seeking who He is. Our motive determines our depth. If we seek outcomes, we’ll visit God occasionally. However, if we seek Him, we’ll abide.

2. Create Consistent, Undistracted Time With Him: In a world full of noise and distractions, intentionality is essential. God desires quality time- not rushed, not squeezed in and not distracted. This means setting aside intentional time daily, reducing noise and distractions (phones or multitasking), learning to sit with Him even when it feels “unproductive.” Intimacy is built in consistency, not just intensity.

3. Engage Scripture as a Conversation, not a Checklist: The Word of God is not just information- it is how God reveals Himself. Don’t rush to hit a reading target when God is calling you into something deeper. Don’t merely skim for completion or treat it like an obligation. Pause on what stands out and ask God what He is looking to say to you or what He is showing you about Himself from Scripture.

4. Have a Life of Prayer not Just Moments of Prayer: Prayer is not performance; it is fellowship and communion with our Father. Intimacy grows when God is a constant companion not just a scheduled appointment. We should move beyond praying when we need something (or celebrating prayers only where we get something from the Lord), to honest conversations with God, a continuous awareness of His presence and short prayers throughout the day. God wants us to talk to Him in decisions, in confusion, in gratitude, and even in silence.

5. Grow in Agreement with the Lord: Agreement with God is essential, we cannot walk closely with God while consistently resisting Him. Each time we respond to His prompting, adjust our behavior and surrender our will, we build an added layer of trust and grow deeper in intimacy with Him.

6. Guard Against Substitutes: One of the greatest threats to intimacy is doing for God instead of being with God. It can give the false feeling that you’re close to God when you aren’t. Work, leadership, ministry and even good things, can quietly replace time with Him. Ask yourself regularly, am I spending more time talking about God than I am talking to God? Am I producing more than I am abiding? Busyness can look like fruitfulness but still create distance.

7. Learn to Enjoy His Presence: Intimacy is not just discipline, it is delight. God’s presence is meant to be enjoyed. Your devotion doesn’t always have to be structured. You can sit with the Lord without a seven-point agenda, linger in worship and appreciate His nearness. I have found that singing songs or reading psalms to the Lord is one way to delight in His presence. The more you enjoy His presence, the more you will desire it naturally.

In a world that often defines people by their achievements and output, we must remain anchored in what matters most, the better part: knowing the Lord and being known by Him. The crown of discipleship is being with the Lord as we go where He sends us. The beauty of walking with God is that over time, His nature begins to shape ours… And that is the truest expression of a life well lived.

Have a blessed week ahead.

For His glory and renown,

Olayinka Adebayo

X/IG — @layinkadebayo

Push Buttons is a weekly devotional of The PowerPoint Tribe.