Debbie Swindell

Life comes at us fast. Between deadlines, appointments, family obligations, and the constant buzz of digital distractions, it’s easy to get swept up in the pace of the world. Our culture often equates success with productivity, material wealth, and social influence. But somewhere amid the hustle and striving, our souls quietly grow weary and undernourished.

We were never meant to live this way.

The Bible reminds us that our lives are not ultimately defined by what we do or own, but by who we are becoming in Christ. Jesus asks, “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). The pursuit of external success, while not inherently wrong, often distracts us from the internal, eternal work of spiritual formation.

A Spiritual Life Requires Surrender, Not Striving

Living a spiritual life doesn’t mean becoming superhuman or perfectly polished. It means acknowledging our brokenness and daily surrendering to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Paul writes in Galatians 5:16, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” The Christian life is not lived in our own strength, but through dependence on God’s Spirit, who convicts, comforts, and empowers us to live in obedience.

Our nature leans toward self-reliance, but the Spirit leads us to repentance and real change. As Romans 8:5 says, “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” That shift—from flesh to Spirit—is at the heart of spiritual growth.

Spiritual Growth Is a Journey

Growth in Christ is not instantaneous. It is often slow, subtle, and even painful. There are seasons of deep joy, but also of confusion, weariness, and wrestling with doubt. The Apostle Paul admitted his own struggle, saying in Romans 7:18, “For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” Yet he continued to press on, knowing that spiritual maturity is a journey, not a destination.

Hebrews 5:13–14 contrasts spiritual infancy with maturity: “Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” Our goal as believers is to grow from spiritual milk to solid food—digging deeper into God’s Word, practicing obedience, and becoming more like Christ.

The Power of the Holy Spirit, Not the Pressure of Performance

Far too often, we fall into the trap of trying to live the Christian life by our own grit. But Paul warned the Galatians not to finish by the flesh what was begun by the Spirit: “Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3). True transformation is not about trying harder—it’s about trusting deeper.

God is not impressed by our performance. He desires our dependence. He delights when we come to Him in weakness and lean on His sufficiency. His grace is more than enough to sustain and sanctify us: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Let’s Walk by the Spirit

So how do we stay grounded in a world pulling us in every direction?

• Prioritize time in the Word – Not just reading, but meditating, studying, and applying it. God’s Word is our nourishment for the journey (Psalm 119:105).
• Cultivate a habit of prayer – Ongoing, honest conversation with the Lord keeps us spiritually aligned and dependent on Him (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
• Pursue community – We were never meant to grow alone. Find a body of believers who will encourage, challenge, and walk alongside you (Hebrews 10:24–25).
• Practice obedience – Not to earn God’s love, but in response to it. Every small step of faith shapes us into Christ’s likeness (John 14:15).

Let us not be swept away by the empty promises of the world. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), and walk daily in the power of His Spirit. May we live lives that reflect not our striving, but His sanctifying grace at work within us.

Because in the end, it’s not about how fast we run—but who we walk with.

Living a spiritual life means recognizing our flawed nature and allowing the divine Holy Spirit to guide us towards repentance and empower us to obey God’s Word. It means walking with the Spirit and avoiding self-serving, sinful living.

However, the spiritual journey is not a walk in the park. Sometimes we may question God in moments of weakness or struggle to resist the temptations of the flesh. That’s when we need to examine our lives and strive for spiritual maturity, moving from milk to solid food as we grow in our faith.

So, let us be steadfast in our journey towards spiritual growth. Let’s prioritize the power of the Holy Spirit over our own efforts and desires and trust in the abundance of His grace to transform us into new creations. Let us not be foolish and rely on our own strength, but instead walk with the Spirit and persevere in our path towards spiritual growth.

Remember, as Galatians 3:3 reads, “Are you so foolish? After beginning by the Spirit, are you now finishing by the flesh?” Let’s not let the temptations of the world distract us from our spiritual journey.