There is nothing more interesting and fascinating than growing in God’s garden, in God’s family, and watching others grow. It is so joyful to realize that you are a member of the Body of Christ, that you belong to the royal priesthood, that you are a branch on God’s vine and a branch of the olive tree, and that you are God’s child. And whatever stage of development you may be in, and wherever you may have become stuck in your growth, you are one who belongs to God and is the object of His special care and attention. If only we could see the tenderness with which God labors for us, the love with which He enters into every detail of our lives, and the patience He shows toward us, His beloved children, then our path would be much easier and more fascinating. But we have been given the eyes of faith to comprehend all this without seeing God, but trusting Him as little children trust their parents.
To enter the Kingdom of Heaven, it is necessary to become a child and, like a little one, entrust your life to God and accept with childlike trust what He gives. But infancy is necessary in order to enter the Kingdom, and God has no plan for us to remain that way afterward. He gives growth to everyone who has entered His garden and is in God’s flower bed.
And at a certain point in my development, I move into the next stage of faith, where all my brothers and sisters await me and are actively engaged in God’s work, helping one another and caring for new members of God’s family. I enter a new, fascinating world of fellowship.
3. The Stage of Success.
All the knowledge I have accumulated finds application in every possible sphere of church life. If I previously needed teachers, mentors, spiritual leaders, and authorities, now I myself become such a person. Those who have only recently come out of the world greatly need my counsel, explanations of difficult passages of Scripture, prayerful support, and guidance. I already know what talents God has given me and what success accompanies me in every work of God that I undertake. My experience of life in Christ is so unique and differs so much from the experience of other people that I gladly share it with others, inspiring those around me to labor for God.
I see how my words reach many hearts and convince those around me that life with God is better. My older brothers, observing my success, decide to entrust me with the leadership of a small group or even place an entire congregation in my care, ordaining me for this ministry. And I, understanding my full responsibility before God and people, take on all kinds of new duties and do what has been entrusted to me.
The enemy of souls constantly trips me so that I will fall and disappoint my brothers and sisters, but in their love they support me and help me rise and continue onward.
I comprehend the science of Salvation and can convince people that life with God is better, more beautiful, and more interesting. Everything I touch and undertake becomes blessed and successful, and I understand that every enterprise and work of God is destined for success. This truth inspires me to undertake everything and to see the abundant blessings that pour down upon me.
And if a trial comes or the struggle intensifies, I run to the One Who is always near and never grows weary.
My entire church reaches this age, and all together, as one complete organism, we fulfill God’s mission in this world and confidently grow from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Looking to Christ in faith, we are transformed into the same image and likeness. And it is so joyful to realize this.
Our evangelistic campaigns have attained perfection in theology, and every truth about the plan of Salvation is revealed before the world in all its fullness and beauty. It cannot be disputed, but it can be accepted and mingled with faith, or rejected in order to depart into darkness.
At this stage of faith, I see many of my brothers and sisters become disappointed, discouraged, lose their enthusiasm, burn out emotionally, and experience something I do not understand; some of them leave our ranks forever, causing us many questions and much astonishment. Disputes, gossip, and disagreements become spiritual bread for many of us, which some share with others with special enthusiasm. God’s work grows and advances, while God’s people become strange and unpredictable. It is not always easy to understand what is happening, but new church members bring new joy and compel me to labor tirelessly. And I grow. It seems that everything will always remain this way and that our whole family will always dwell together in the garden of God’s love. But this is only the third stage, and at a time known to Him, God brings me to a dark wall and calls me to move forward.
And strange things begin to happen in my life. I realize that I am tired, emotionally drained, burned out, and losing strength. I go to the Source and drink, but I am not satisfied. My heart is surfeited and does not feel the taste of life. I understand that I must move forward, but where? Before me are darkness, the unknown, and black fire that burns and brings no joy. I look back and could return to where I grew so beautifully, but an unknown Power of God draws me into the darkness, into a dark forest that seems never to end. And no one is near to tell me what is happening; I must travel this path in complete solitude.
I have a great many questions for God. Sometimes I even shake my little fists at Heaven, crying out to the One Who remains silent, scolding myself, and uncovering very unpleasant things in my life.
I was told about love, that it turns out to exist, and I have even seen those who say that they love; but apart from darkness, I see nothing in my life and do not know what to do. Although outwardly I am still just as active and cheerful, and all my projects for God are moving forward and succeeding, inwardly very little brings me joy anymore, even though outwardly I continue to smile and give others inspiration and blessings. I read about Job and understand that a battle is being waged for my life and that God permits my trials. I read the sorrowful psalms and find myself in them. Darkness has covered me. What should I do? Where should I go? Ahead are gloom and the unknown. And it seems that God does not hear me. Should I return to the world? But there is death there. Perhaps I am not in the right church? I look for something else. Even though they do not live according to the Bible there, at least there is variety. But this does not solve my problem either.
And I stand before this wall and wonder what I should do next. And who could help me? No one taught me about this or warned me.
Yet I want to grow. And somewhere deep within my soul, I understand that God is near, that He has not forsaken me, and that He has prepared something better and more interesting for me. Relying on Him by faith alone, I clench my teeth and take a step of faith. How dark it is, this dark night of the soul. How sorrowful it is to pass through it. How greatly I long for all this to end.
Various circumstances of life can bring me closer to such a state of soul, and God uses them and Himself leads me into this state. But I will learn about this later, when I have traveled this path. How lonely it is here!
And I move into the next stage of faith and become immersed in myself, in my thoughts and feelings, while remaining cheerful and active for those around me. What a performance. How shameful it is. But I move forward by faith.
Homework 210
In the light of this lesson, please read Jeremiah 6:16; Genesis 39:3; 1 Peter 2:9–10; 2 Corinthians 1:21–22; 2 Chronicles 20:20; Joshua 1:7–8; Proverbs 2:3–11; Job 3:23–26; Ecclesiastes 3:1, 5, 12–14; Revelation 2:2–5; and 2 Corinthians 6:6–10. What did you understand from this lesson? What Bible verses came to your mind? Is the third stage truly only the midpoint of the path of spiritual growth? What, then, will come next? Why does God plan a time of personal sorrow for each of His sons and daughters? Why is the dark night of the soul necessary? Are there Christians who develop through different stages of faith? Why does the Lord grant success in spiritual growth and ministry, only afterward to lower a person into darkness? How can I distinguish the dark night of the soul that comes from the Lord from sorrow caused by my sins?