Aug. 17, 2025 - Primal

Have you ever paused to ask yourself, "How are things with my soul?" It's not a question we often contemplate in our busy lives, but it's one that can offer profound insights into our spiritual well-being. Just as we experience physical and emotional growth throughout our lives, our faith also undergoes various stages of development.

The concept of spiritual growth isn't new. In fact, we see it reflected in Scripture. The Apostle Paul speaks of starting out as "babes in Christ," while the writer of Hebrews encourages believers to progress towards a mature faith that is "complete and not lacking anything." This journey from spiritual infancy to maturity is a process, one that requires engagement, struggle, and perseverance.

Consider the life of Abraham, the father of faith. His spiritual journey began with a simple yet profound call from God: "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you." At 75 years old, Abraham was settled in his ways, living in Ur (modern-day Iraq). Yet, when God spoke, Abraham responded with trust and obedience, embarking on a journey into the unknown.

This initial stage of faith is characterized by hope and trust. It's akin to a newborn's reliance on its mother for sustenance and comfort. Just as an infant hopes and trusts that its needs will be met, new believers place their hope in God, trusting Him to guide and provide.

This stage often begins with repentance - a 180-degree turn from our old ways towards God. It's a recognition that we need something more, something different in our lives. We cry out to God, inviting Him to take control, to save us, to be present with us. We may not fully understand what lies ahead, but we trust that God will give us exactly what we need.

As we progress in our faith, we're called to wrestle with God, much like Jacob did by the Jabbok River. This wrestling isn't about trying to overpower God, but rather about engaging deeply with our faith, challenging ourselves, and refusing to let go even when we feel overwhelmed. It's through this struggle that we grow, that our identity is transformed, just as Jacob's was when God renamed him Israel - "one who wrestles with God."

But growth isn't always comfortable. Just as physical exercise can be painful yet beneficial, spiritual growth often involves discomfort and challenges. However, if we don't engage our faith, we risk losing it. Faith, like our minds and bodies, needs to be exercised to remain healthy and strong.

As we navigate these stages of faith, it's crucial to remember that we're not alone on this journey. The body of Christ - the church - plays a vital role in nurturing and supporting believers, especially those new to faith. Just as a newborn needs the care and nourishment of its parents, new believers need the love, encouragement, and guidance of mature Christians.

Consider the story of the prodigal son. When he returned home after squandering his inheritance, his father didn't berate him or remind him of his mistakes. Instead, he welcomed him with open arms, celebrating his return. This is the kind of nurturing environment we're called to create in our faith communities - one that rejoices over those who were lost but now are found, that supports and encourages growth rather than condemning past failures.

As we reflect on our own faith journey, it's worth asking ourselves some challenging questions:

1. Where am I in my spiritual growth? Am I still a "babe in Christ," or am I progressing towards maturity?
2. Am I actively engaging with my faith, wrestling with God, or am I passively coasting along?
3. How am I contributing to the spiritual growth of others? Am I nurturing new believers and inviting others to experience faith?
4. What areas of discomfort or challenge is God calling me to embrace for the sake of growth?

Remember, spiritual growth isn't about perfection, but progress. It's about continually turning towards God, trusting Him even when the path ahead is unclear. It's about being willing to leave our comfort zones, like Abraham leaving Ur, to follow God's call. It's about wrestling with our faith, like Jacob, allowing God to transform our identity and purpose.

As we embark on this journey of faith, let's challenge ourselves to grow. Let's be willing to feel uncomfortable, to push against our limitations, to wrestle with the deep questions of our souls. Let's support one another in this journey, creating communities that nurture faith and celebrate growth.

In the end, the goal of our faith journey isn't just personal growth, but a deeper knowledge and love of God. It's about aligning our lives more closely with His will, serving Him and others with greater effectiveness and joy. It's about progressing from spiritual infancy to maturity, becoming complete in Christ, lacking nothing.

So today, pause and ask yourself, "How are things with my soul?" Be honest in your self-reflection. Identify where you are in your faith journey. And then, with hope and trust, take the next step forward. Engage with your faith. Wrestle with God. Embrace the discomfort of growth. For in doing so, you're not just growing in faith - you're drawing closer to the heart of God.