The Wall

The other day I was listening to a conversation between Carey Nieuwhof and John Mark Comer about spiritual formation.

In this conversation, they went back and forth on what their spiritual journey has looked like through every season of life, the ups and the downs. The way they explained it though was not what I had initially had in mind when it comes to ones spiritual journey. After taking some time to reflect on what they said though, the more that I began to resonate with them.  

They referenced some recent research about Christians that walked with Jesus for many years. The research was titled The Critical Journey. This journey highlights 6 stages that are often experienced in someones journey with Christ. This picture was taken from Comer’s recent book Practicing the Way

If you’re like me, you really like stages 1-3. Here is my summary of the first 3: 

• Stage 1 – Salvation / Coming to Christ / Beginning the Christian life

• Stage 2 – Growing / Being poured into / Soaking it all in 

• Stage 3 – Serving Christ and having fun / Getting awesome opportunities to do ministry / Being fulfilled and excited

But then there is Stage 4 – The Wall. What’s that about?

Well, I don’t know about you, but I have experienced the wall. For quite some time, I thought something was wrong with me by hitting the wall. But the more I take a step back to reflect, I see that God allowed me to hit the wall. It was for my good.

When I hit this spiritual wall, a lot of things changed, but not for the worst. God was putting me in a place so that I would be completely dependent on Him, reflect on my heart and motives and come back to my first love, Jesus. It might not have felt good, but it was necessary. I’m not saying all the ministry I had done before was in vain, or even had wrong motives. But some of it did. I believe God still used me, but I also believe that my heart was not as dependent on Jesus as it should have been. My life was not overflowing properly from my relationship with God. And that caught up with me. Cue, The Wall! 

Well, I kept pushing through The Wall. I didn’t give up. This was all leading to Stage 4, The Journey Inward. I took a step back and asked myself the hard questions about my faith. I put up some disciplines in my life to protect me from certain sins and the pride in my heart. I got Christian counseling and began to be more transparent with people in every day life. God began to change my hearts desires and my priorities and teach me a greater contentment and joy. All of these areas of growth took place because of God’s grace of The Wall.

Now, I can honestly say I’m somewhere between Stage 4 and Stage 5. Many things that God taught me through The Wall are beginning to come out of my life. But some things are still brewing inside! I am not the same person as I used to be. The Holy Spirit has been revealing things to me and chiseling away things in my heart. This is not a blog to brag because I kicked and screamed through the wall! Surrendering your deepest things to God is so hard. He is the ultimate healer, though.

Will I hit more walls throughout my spiritual journey? Yes! Although this most recent wall was a major turning point for me, I’m confident that there will be more.

So, what about you? Do you resonate with this Critical Journey and stages of faith? When you hit The Wall, will you embrace it or avoid it? It’s hard, but worth it!

Psalm 42:11– Why, my soul, are you so dejected?
Why are you in such turmoil?
Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him,
my Savior and my God.

James 1:2-4 — Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.