How to grow closer to God in your 20’s

If You’re in Your Early 20s and Want to Walk with God, Start Here

Everything I’m about to share in this blog post comes from a place of deep reflection, things I sincerely wish I had known and practiced when I was 17 or even 20. Looking back, I realize how much stronger and deeper my walk with God could have been if I had laid a better foundation during those early years. But while I can’t go back in time, I can extend my hand to you right now and help you start better.

So if you’re in your late teens or early twenties and you’ve made the decision to walk consistently with God, congratulations.

Truly, you’ve made the best decision of your life. You may not fully grasp it yet, but by the time you’re 25 or 30, you will reap a harvest so fulfilling that no academic degree, career milestone, or worldly achievement can compare. What you’re building now is eternal.

I pray for you, that the first person you truly fall in love with is Jesus. That He becomes the one whose voice you long to hear, whose presence you never want to leave, and whose love shapes every other relationship in your life. Imagine falling so deeply in love with Him that no third party can interfere with the bond you share. You’ll crave His wisdom, find peace in His embrace, and desire intimacy with Him above all else. You’ll fight to protect that relationship, and you’ll commit to loving Him forever. This kind of love becomes the foundation of every other love story you’ll ever live through.

Falling in love with Jesus means growing in Him. It means allowing your relationship with Him to mature in the same way a godly marriage should, rooted in faithfulness, honor, and trust. In this divine union, things like spiritual infidelity, half-hearted devotion, or reckless/double standard lifestyle simply don’t belong.

I grew up in a typical Christian home. Church on Sundays was so given. We were taught not to do “bad things,” not to associate with the wrong crowd, and to obey our parents and older siblings. Reading the Bible and getting good grades was part of the checklist for being a “good child.” And while all of that had its place, none of it truly built a real relationship with God.

You see, being raised in a Christian environment doesn’t automatically translate into knowing God. Yes, God may visit you in His mercy through encounters, dreams, or special moments but that alone won’t sustain your relationship with Him. What you need is a heart that’s curious, hungry, and desperate to go deeper.

There are countless pieces of advice and spiritual checklists out there on how to grow closer to God, and while many of them are helpful, I want to share with you what has worked for me and continues to shape my walk with God today. This isn’t a formula, it’s a journey. One of love, growth, discipline, and deep intimacy.

Let’s begin.

1. Decide That You Truly Want to Follow Jesus As Honestly As You Can**

Make a real decision to follow Jesus, Not perfectly. Not religiously. But honestly.

Yes, the journey might feel lonely at times. Yes, it may seem like you’ll have to give up a lot. And yes, people might not understand your choice. But Jesus is worth it. God, in His perfect wisdom, knows what’s best for your life. He sees the beginning from the end and has already secured your future. There is nothing to fear when you’re walking with the One who knows it all. Lets look at two Biblical Examples to Learn From:

Zacchaeus – A Man Who Didn’t Let Anything Stop Him

Zacchaeus was a wealthy tax collector, disliked by many because of his dishonest profession. But he had a sincere curiosity about Jesus. Even though he was short and couldn’t see over the crowd, he climbed a tree just to catch a glimpse of Him.

And Jesus noticed.

He looked up, called Zacchaeus by name, and invited Himself to his house. That one encounter changed everything. Zacchaeus joyfully received Jesus, repented, and made bold, practical decisions to make things right.

He didn’t fake his interest in Jesus. He was real, and that sincerity led to transformation.

The Rich Young Ruler – A Man Who Couldn’t Let Go

On the other hand, a young, wealthy man came to Jesus asking, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” He had kept all the commandments since childhood. But Jesus lovingly told him, _“You lack one thing sell what you have, give to the poor, and follow Me.”

Sadly, the young man walked away sorrowful. He was not ready to let go of the one thing that stood between him and full surrender.

These are two men who wanted something real with Jesus. One was willing to surrender. The other wasn’t. And that made all the difference.

Following Jesus requires surrender. God will gently confront areas in your life like friendships, your phone, habits, your ambitions that are competing for your heart. If you truly want to grow in intimacy with God, you must be willing to let go of anything that stands in the way.

Jesus offers eternal life freely, but a close relationship with Him demands trust and obedience. He’s not asking for perfection, He’s asking for your heart.

2. Get to Know Jesus for Yourself Through His Word and the Holy Spirit**

Build your relationship with Jesus personally and directly. And that starts with His Word and the Holy Spirit.

At this early stage, avoid depending on devotionals, sermons, or Bible study guides. While they’re helpful, they often reflect other people’s understanding of God. What you need right now is your own revelation to meet God through the pages of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation.

Read the Bible not just for knowledge, but to understand who God is, His character, His patterns, how He responds to people, what pleases Him, and how He walks with those who love Him.

Make this journey Organic and Pure. Allow your relationship with God grow naturally. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and make the Word come alive. The same way you desire God, He also desires to be close to you. It’s not one-sided.

Remember the Tearing of the Veil In Matthew 27:50–51, something amazing happened when Jesus died on the cross:

“At that moment, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom…”

This veil had separated the Holy of Holies, the place where only the high priest could enter for everyone else. When it tore, it meant:

• The barrier between you and God was completely removed.
• You now have direct access to God’s presence, no need for a human mediator.
• You are free to come to Him boldly, confidently, and continually.

This was God’s way of saying: “I want to be close to you. No more distance. No more rituals. Just you and Me.”

You don’t have to depend on anyone else to know God. He wants you, your heart, your attention, your time. Let the Bible and the Holy Spirit guide your journey. And if you ever feel like you got off track, you can always start over. Go back to the basics and let Him meet you there.

3. Obey what He is telling you

By the time He start to reveal himself to you, He will start by pruning some little foxes that are covering your eyes from seeing Him. He will address issues in your heart and give you instructions on what to do and how to do them. Your obedience matters a lot because this is the language that shows how much you love God. In John 14:15, Jesus said “If you love me, obey my commandments.” Love to him is not about emotions, is about obedience.
Whatever He tells you to stop, you stop. And whatever He tells you to start, you start.

4. Prioritize Spending Alone Time with God

In your walk with God, intentionally set aside time to be alone with Him. This isn’t just a routine or religious duty, it’s a sacred, beautiful space where intimacy with God is nurtured, and your heart is refreshed in His presence.

For me, this place is my favorite in the world. It’s where I pour out my heart in prayer, lift up songs of worship, and simply enjoy God for who He is. In those quiet moments away from distractions, noise, and busyness, I experience His nearness in a deep and personal way.

It’s in that secret place that the Holy Spirit becomes more real and active in your heart. Your confidence and peace are renewed. You receive joy, clarity, and rest that the world cannot give. You begin to hear God’s voice more clearly and sense His leading.

Sometimes, I pause and imagine what it must feel like to worship God in heaven, face to face, surrounded by angels and saints pouring out praise. That thought alone stirs up hunger in me. But we don’t have to wait until in heaven to enjoy intimacy with God. We can begin right here, right now in the quiet of our rooms, on our knees, or even in silent reflection.
God Honors Those Who Make Time for Him. When you deliberately make space in your schedule to be with God, just you and Him, He responds. He draws near. He speaks. He reveals His heart. This kind of pursuit touches His heart deeply.

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you…” James 4:8

We also see this modeled in the life of Jesus. While on earth, Jesus was often surrounded by crowds, busy healing, teaching, and guiding His disciples. But He still made it a priority to spend alone time with His Father. He would often step away from everyone, even from those He loved to pray and connect with God in solitude.

If Jesus, the Son of God, needed alone time with the Father, how much more do we?

Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Don’t wait to “feel ready.” Just show up consistently and sincerely. It can be early in the morning, during a lunch break, or at night before bed. What matters is that you prioritize it.

Create a space in your day where God has your full attention. He cherishes that. And over time, you’ll find yourself looking forward to those moments more than anything else. It becomes your safe place. Your fueling station. Your anchor.

In that secret place, you’re not just growing spiritually, you’re building a real relationship with a real God who longs to spend time with you.

Conclusion
Even if you don’t have it all figured out, get to know Him for yourself. And trust that He will walk with you every step of the way. Enjoy your beautiful ride with Jesus as you grow closer to Him.