Aug. 31, 2025 - Literal

How are things with your soul? This simple yet profound question invites us to pause and reflect on our spiritual well-being. It's a query that can make us uncomfortable, especially if we're not in a good place. But it's precisely this discomfort that can lead to growth and transformation in our faith journey.

Many of us have been conditioned to present a perfect, holy image in our church communities. We may hesitate to admit when our souls are struggling, fearing judgment or believing it reflects poorly on our Christian walk. However, this mindset can hinder our spiritual development and prevent us from experiencing the fullness of God's love and grace.

The truth is, we are all human beings with ups and downs in our faith. There are times when our souls soar, and others when we feel lost or disconnected. It's essential to recognize that vulnerability and honesty are not signs of weakness but opportunities for growth and deeper connection with God and our faith community.

Just as human beings go through various developmental stages from infancy to adulthood, our faith also progresses through different phases. One particular stage of faith development parallels the childhood experience of taking initiative and feeling guilt. In this stage, children begin to venture out from behind their parents, exploring the world around them and forming their own understanding of right and wrong.

This stage is heavily influenced by family dynamics and the environment in which a child grows up. What is considered normal or acceptable behavior is shaped by the actions and attitudes of parents, siblings, and extended family members. For instance, a child growing up in a household where drinking, smoking, and cursing are commonplace may view these behaviors as normal, while finding abstinence from such activities strange or "weird."

In our faith journey, we experience a similar phase where we are greatly influenced by the religious people and practices around us. As we engage with a local church community, we adopt its customs, rituals, and ways of worship. We observe spiritual leaders and fellow believers, internalizing their practices as the "right way" to express faith.

This stage of faith development can be summarized by the oft-heard phrase in churches: "We've always done it this way." It's a mindset that resists change and clings to familiar traditions, even if they may no longer be relevant or effective. Many churches and individual believers find themselves stuck in this phase, unable or unwilling to explore new expressions of faith or challenge long-held assumptions.

The story of Abram and Sarai (later known as Abraham and Sarah) illustrates this struggle. God had promised them a child who would be the beginning of a great nation. However, as years passed and they grew older, the possibility of conceiving seemed increasingly unlikely. Instead of trusting in God's promise, they resorted to a common practice of their time – using a servant as a surrogate mother. They chose to follow cultural norms rather than waiting on God's miraculous intervention.

This tendency to resist change and cling to the familiar is deeply human. We find comfort in routines and rhythms, and disruptions to these patterns can be unsettling. Psychologists refer to this as "negative bias theory" – our natural inclination to view new or different experiences as potentially harmful or wrong.

However, growth requires stepping out of our comfort zones. Just as a runner must incorporate different types of training to improve endurance and speed, we must challenge ourselves spiritually to mature in faith. This process of growth often involves "deconstructing" our faith – not to tear it down, but to examine its components critically and determine what is essential and what is merely cultural or personal preference.

Deconstructing faith means exposing ourselves to different expressions of Christianity, exploring various worship styles, theological perspectives, and spiritual practices. It's about recognizing that while our particular way of worshiping or understanding God may be meaningful to us, it's not the only valid expression of faith.

This process can be uncomfortable and even painful at times. It may challenge long-held beliefs or cherished traditions. But it's through this wrestling and questioning that we can develop a more robust, mature faith that is grounded in the essentials of Christianity rather than in cultural or denominational particularities.

As we engage in this process, we're reminded of Jesus' words in the Lord's Prayer: "Our Father." This simple phrase acknowledges that we are part of a vast, global family of believers. The diversity within this family means that expressions of faith will naturally vary across cultures and contexts. Embracing this diversity can enrich our own spiritual lives and deepen our understanding of God's character and work in the world.

The journey of faith is ongoing, regardless of our age, theological education, or years of church attendance. We are all called to continually work out our faith, wrestling with difficult questions and challenging ourselves to grow. This growth often comes through embracing what feels different or uncomfortable, allowing God to stretch us beyond our current understanding and experience.

As we reflect on the state of our souls and the stage of our faith development, let's consider these questions:

1. Are we stuck in a "we've always done it this way" mentality?

2. How open are we to exploring different expressions of faith?

3. What areas of our spiritual lives might benefit from some "deconstruction" and re-examination?

4. How can we create space for honest vulnerability about our spiritual struggles within our faith communities?

May we have the courage to embrace change, challenge our comfort zones, and continually seek a deeper, more mature faith. As we do so, we open ourselves to new dimensions of God's love, grace, and transformative power in our lives.