Trust the Spring Within You
Looking back at my past and looking through my faith walk, I remember when I used to say things like “I want to grow or I need to be fed”, I recently realized that it wasn’t actually (just) a deep desire to study or process the things I was studying, but a need to measure up to or seek out ‘deep sounding’ speakers or popular thought leaders, hanging to their every word. The truth is, this in itself is not a “bad” thing, there are many good models and great sources to learn from. Nevertheless, the more we are externally oriented, the longer our journey to real growth will be. Spiritual growth has little or nothing to do with measuring up to others, or pressuring ourselves through the lens of other people’s journeys. Growth is a personal journey.
Quite frankly, we have been conditioned to view growth through these external, shiny metrics and too often seek growth outside of us (if not always). In the past, I used to think “the bigger the crowd or followership, the truer the words”. When we think like this, without knowing it we outsource our growth to a pulpit, a YouTube personality/channel, a public figure or our most inspiring speakers and teachers. Yes, they may challenge us, but for us to change, that truth has to become your own — It has to come from within. These role models are great tools and guides, but they best serve us when they all point inwards and do not replace the truth unfolding within us. Truth resonates not because it is new, but because it is recognized.
You will soon realize that spiritual growth is not about learning something new from a pulpit or sermon, it is about digging deep with you and unearthing something within you that is eternal and has always been. It is in tilling the soil of your heart, working with the intuition and instincts of the spirit till you uncover that which is most abiding within.
In other words, the most transformative process of growth is less about acquiring knowledge or measuring up to some external metric, but a growing awareness and a realization of your person as one in Union with God. This awareness should be followed by you accessing every knowledge, wisdom and practice as supplied and sustained by the Holy Spirit within and making a demand on these resources within whenever you need them.
“This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” — Hebrews 10:16 NLT
Truth in spirituality is called “re-cognition” it is coming into what is already known and not taking in alone what you think you need.
Sometimes, receiving information can be the beginning of our awakening, but other times it can be the biggest distraction on our pathway to discovery, the voices we trust, honour and respect may be louder than the whispers of truth within. The Holy Spirit is the greatest teacher and if we begin to listen more and build a closer relationship with Him, our need to constantly seek out new voices will dwindle.
“He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water.” — John 7:38
It is stillness and not another sermon we need. There are too many sermons, books, podcasts… offering answers and it can actually prevent you from taking a jump into the depths of you, discovering the answers that already lies within. The older voices are indeed ours to honour but not always a template to replicate or follow without interrogating. They are shoulders to stand on not shoes to walk on; their instructions should not be your modus operandi. The Holy Spirit is in us for that — Clear direction.
But when the Father sends the Holy Spirit, the One like me who sets you free, he will teach you all things in my name. And he will inspire you to remember every word that I’ve told you. — John 14:26
God’s call upon our lives is more like Abraham’s nudge to walk away from Ur, from Papa and Mama’s thinking, from the wisdom of the known and the comfort of the familiar. God loves new and exciting adventures…
“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 NLT
God’s Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go! This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” Rom 8:14–17
Remember what the wise old prophet Eli told Samuel, God will speak and that is the instruction you need. The unwise old prophet told the young one, “I have been around, God can’t tell you anything new or different and so sit here”.
What happened next? The death of the young prophet. This is symbolic of that voice, drive and passion that dies in us when we choose to walk with the voices outside of us and not the instructions within us. God is in you. He loves it there, learn to trust it. He is you and you are him.
These familiar voices may cause you to hold back rather than let you go and grow. They all came into truth by learning to trust the unfolding mystery within, why won’t you? Conquer your fears and feelings of inadequacy — You are as much a source of truth as an echo for others experiences. You are enough to pastor the city and it doesn’t have to be away or from the pulpit. It is likely both. Your community, your city, the world needs you to awaken to the lion within you. None should suffer because you only see in part.
You are more than enough to answer questions from your journey. While you may be young the truth within you is eternal and ageless — Don’t stop doing the work required within, quit focusing on the external metrics that people, culture or the world measures growth with. True spiritual growth is an awareness of your oneness with God and a daily effort to walk in that consciousness.
Written by Ferdy Adimefe
Ferdy Adimefe is a serial entrepreneur passionate about culture and creative industrialization. He curates expressions centered on faith, innovation and technology. He is a Father, Husband, Author and conference speaker; He is also a Pastor at The Tribe Lagos.
