Do you spend dedicated time on faith, like brushing your teeth or doomscrolling? Often, spiritual growth is presented that way, like every day you should spend 20 minutes each in prayer, Bible reading, devotions, and meditation. On top of that, you should spend a certain number of hours each week doing church activities. You can volunteer or do mission work for bonus growth. Elite status comes with formal academic training. Seriously, who has time for all that?
For a normal person, pursuing faith development can seem daunting at best, or totally out of reach. What if spiritual growth doesn’t quite work that way? What if we’ve put too much weight on acquiring information and mastering techniques?
The exchange between Jesus and a scribe in Mark 12:28-34 suggests a more streamlined approach to faith. The scribe’s question about the greatest commandment isn’t much different from you or me asking, “What’s the best spiritual growth plan out there?” Jesus’ answer distills the complexity of tradition and practice into a two-fold guiding principle: there’s one God to pay attention to; love this God with all that you are and love your neighbor. When the scribe says, “Right, living that way is worth more than all the churchy rigmarole so many people spend time on,” Jesus concludes with, “You’re catching on to this kingdom of God thing!”
I’ve felt that sense of missing something, that I needed to do more or learn more. I even got a Doctor of Ministry degree to scratch that itch. Now, I think I better understand what Jesus and the scribe meant. The necessary information is a few simple Bible verses that organize the rest. The practice is living them all day, every day. Over time, growth comes from struggling to stay on track, experiencing heartache, seeing blessing, and receiving grace. Every day reveals new validations of timeless truth.
We all have the same 24 hours every day. However you budget those hours, include a few Bible verses to help you stay on track. Be intentional about practicing them throughout the day. Remember others are also working on this so share the journey. It’s time well spent.
Dr. Carl Grosse is an ordained pastor and the author of Faith Along the Way, a weekly reflection for KnoxTNToday that encourages readers to discover God’s presence in everyday life and share His love with others.
Enjoyed this article? Read more Faith Along the Way reflections and find encouragement for your own faith journey.
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