Skills
The Journey of Becoming: Embracing Effort in Our Spiritual Growth
Have you ever wondered why some aspects of life seem so challenging, even when we’re pursuing something meaningful? There’s a profound truth that often gets overlooked: everything in life worth doing is hard. This applies not just to our worldly pursuits, but also to our spiritual journey.
As followers of Christ, we sometimes fall into the trap of thinking that because salvation is a free gift, our spiritual growth should come easily. But there’s a crucial distinction we need to understand: grace is opposed to earning, but not to effort.
Imagine someone gifting you a house. You have two choices: you could neglect it, allowing it to fall into disrepair, or you could invest time and energy into maintaining and improving it. The house was freely given, but the effort you put in determines how much you benefit from and enjoy that gift. Our spiritual life works in a similar way.
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, uses the analogy of an athlete training for a race. He encourages believers to run as if they’re competing for a prize – not a temporary accolade, but something of eternal value. This prize isn’t salvation itself (which is already secured through Christ), but rather becoming who we were created to be.
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
It’s entirely possible to receive the gift of salvation yet miss out on fully becoming the person God intended. This is where effort comes into play. We don’t earn God’s love or our place in His kingdom, but we do need to apply ourselves to grow and transform.
So, what does this look like practically? There are five key skills that form the foundation of a disciple’s life:
Gather Purposefully: It’s not just about showing up to church, but coming with intention – to worship, learn, and connect with God’s people. We prioritize gathering, even when we don’t feel like it, understanding that consistent community shapes us.
Connect Deeply: We were created for relationship – with God and others. This often happens through small groups or intentional friendships where we’re willing to be vulnerable and ask for help when needed. It’s a skill that requires practice and overcoming our natural tendency towards self-sufficiency.
Give Generously: The Bible speaks about money more than it does about heaven and hell combined. Why? Because our relationship with money deeply affects our spiritual health. Tithing (giving the first 10% of our income) isn’t about earning God’s favor, but about freeing our hearts from the grip of materialism and aligning our priorities with God’s kingdom.
Serve Selflessly: When we serve others, we’re not just meeting needs; we’re becoming more like Jesus. Every act of service, whether it’s in children’s ministry or hospitality, shapes our character and aligns us with Christ’s example of servanthood.
Influence Daily: Making disciples isn’t reserved for pastors or missionaries – it’s the calling of every believer. This doesn’t mean awkward, forced evangelism. Instead, it’s about being attuned to the Holy Spirit’s work in the lives of those around us and using our influence to point people towards Christ in natural, loving ways.
Developing these skills requires consistent effort, much like an athlete or musician who practices daily to improve their craft. We don’t suddenly master these areas; it’s a lifelong journey of growth and refinement.
It’s important to recognize a common pitfall in this process. Over time, we can start to believe that our efforts mean we’ve earned our place in God’s family. This attitude leads to looking down on others who don’t seem to be trying as hard. We must constantly remind ourselves that while effort is crucial for growth, it doesn’t negate the fact that our salvation and acceptance are purely gifts from God.
The beauty of this journey is that we’re not alone in our efforts. The Holy Spirit meets us in our striving, empowering us to become more like Christ. Our effort creates space for God to work in our hearts, leading to genuine transformation.
So, how do we begin? Start small. Don’t try to overhaul your entire life overnight. Choose one area to focus on:
- Commit to attending church regularly and engaging fully when you’re there.
- Join a small group or reach out to form deeper connections with fellow believers.
- Start giving consistently, even if it’s a small amount, to practice generosity.
- Find a place to serve in your local church or community.
- Look for opportunities to naturally share your faith journey with others.
Remember, becoming who God created you to be is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires patience, perseverance, and a willingness to keep showing up, even when progress feels slow.
As we embrace this journey of becoming, we’ll find that the effort we invest yields rich rewards. We’ll experience deeper intimacy with God, more meaningful relationships, and a sense of purpose that comes from living in alignment with our Creator’s design.
So, let’s run this race with intention, applying effort not to earn God’s love, but to fully realize the potential He’s placed within us. In doing so, we’ll discover the joy of becoming who we were always meant to be.
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