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How to stop coasting and start growing 🌱
Key elements required for spiritual growth
Some texts were written to challenge, not comfort. That space of challenge is where the best growth can happen.
Growth doesn’t happen in isolation. Why? Because we are not the best judge of our potential. We’re too close to see the whole picture of what we may be missing or what we excel at.
We need wise, godly people around us who are unafraid to hold up a mirror, not in judgment, but to reflect the truth about who you really are without the filter of personal insecurities or self-imposed limitations.
Discerning what is a blind spot—with growth potential—and what is simply not your strong point takes community support. The kind that challenges, asks hard questions, and walks with you as you grow.
To accept that type of support takes discipline, honesty, and a willingness to stop coasting in your spiritual walk.
The Parable of the Talents—more than a message on financial stewardship
The Parable of the Talents is more than a message on financial stewardship. It’s a profound call to personal mission and kingdom responsibility.
What else has God entrusted us with besides physical wealth? Our time, gifts, and opportunities. How we manage those areas of our lives is just as critical as how we handle our finances.
In the Parable of the Talents, we see a positive payoff from taking risks through investing and growing wealth. We can do the same thing with our talents and gifts.
If we don’t take risks to deepen our expertise, share our skills, and grow our understanding of our purpose, we’ll be stuck with what we started with.
Fear is a main contributor to keeping us coasting. The devil loves to see us afraid. That’s why when we make peace with our calling and lean into using it the way God instructs us to, fear doesn’t have a seat at the table. We’re operating from a place of confidence and growth instead of doubt or comparison.
Spiritual growth does not happen in a vacuum
When we’re isolated, we’re subject to an echo chamber that either reflects negative feedback from ourselves, to ourselves, or ignores flaws and turns us away from meaningful growth.
If we convince ourselves we’ve done everything we can without consulting other wise, godly people, we coast along unaware of everything we’re missing out on.
Don’t let fear run the show. Stop coasting. God wants so much more for us than half-lived potential.
Action Items:
1. Reread the Parable of the Talents carefully
Take the time to really read through the Scripture without thinking you already know what it says. Open your heart to new messages within the text, and look for areas you can apply them to your life, work, and community.
2. Discern who in your life can act as a mirror for your growth potential
The people around us can help shape how we see ourselves. Use them as mirrors to find your blind spots, embrace your potential, and start growing in the areas God has called you to grow in.
3. Pray for discipline and honesty as you embark on your spiritual growth
It takes discipline and honesty to stick to the path of growth once you’ve started it. Discipline, to avoid falling back into old habits. Honesty, to be honest with yourself about shortcomings or fears that may be holding you back.
Where do you feel you may not be fulfilling your potential? Do you have a community you trust to be your mirror?