Encouragement for the Journey Ahead: If you’ve ever felt like your faith isn’t growing quickly enough or that you’re falling short, take heart: God meets you exactly where you are, and His love isn’t tied to your progress. Every step, no matter how small, matters. As Lao Tzu said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Faith is a process—a series of small, intentional actions that draw us closer to God. Each prayer, act of kindness, or moment of reflection is part of a larger journey, shaping us in ways we might not immediately see. Begin where you are. Explore new ways to connect with God, reflect on your journey so far, and consider where you’d like to grow. Faith is not about reaching a final destination but about walking each day with purpose, trusting that every step forward leads to a deeper connection with His love.

Faith as a Lifeline: Facing life’s challenges often feels like assembling IKEA furniture without instructions: confusing, frustrating, and occasionally rewarding when it all comes together. When trials arise, it’s natural to ask, Why do terrible things happen to good people? This age-old question remains one of the hardest aspects of faith to grapple with. No one is exempt from life’s hardships, and faith doesn’t promise a pain-free life. What it does offer is the assurance that we don’t face life’s storms alone. Over the past eighteen months, I’ve witnessed profound examples of resilience and hope in the face of unimaginable challenges. Three personal stories stand out, each showing the strength of enduring loss with love and faith.

Faith as a Lifeline: Facing life’s challenges often feels like assembling IKEA furniture without instructions: confusing, frustrating, and occasionally rewarding when it all comes together. When trials arise, it’s natural to ask, Why do terrible things happen to good people? This age-old question remains one of the hardest aspects of faith to grapple with. No one is exempt from life’s hardships, and faith doesn’t promise a pain-free life. What it does offer is the assurance that we don’t face life’s storms alone. Over the past eighteen months, I’ve witnessed profound examples of resilience and hope in the face of unimaginable challenges. Three personal stories stand out, each showing the strength of enduring loss with love and faith.

Everyday Faith in Action: Living out faith in daily life doesn’t require grand gestures. It’s about the little ways we reflect universal love through kindness, generosity, and service. For me, this journey began with small, deliberate choices—helping someone in need, being patient in a frustrating moment, or offering an encouraging word. These simple acts align our hearts with Christ and remind us of His constant presence. If I’m honest, this part of faith can be the most challenging. I feel deeply connected to Christ when I’m “painting within the lines of faith”—attending Sunday services, volunteering, or participating in programs like Alpha and Rooted. Yet, outside those “faith moments,” I sometimes slip into being “Just.ian.”

Why Community Matters: Community isn’t just a “nice to have;” it’s vital for spiritual growth. Shared experiences build trust, foster accountability, and create opportunities to live out our faith together. At Harbor Point, these gatherings are more than just events—they’re touchpoints where lives intersect, faith is strengthened, and friendships are formed. Whether we’re painting a playground, sharing conversations on the patio, or watching a movie together, these moments strengthen our bonds with one another and deepen our connection to Christ. A thriving community allows us to walk our faith journey with others, offering support, encouragement, and a tangible expression of God’s love.

Why Bible Study Matters: The beauty of Bible study lies in its ability to reveal God’s truth in ways that resonate deeply. Whether you’re delving into a single passage or drawing connections between multiple books, the lessons are always profound and practical. Week after week, I’ve been amazed by the insights that emerge from our discussions. Each session feels like a spiritual investment, yielding growth, clarity, and a closer connection to Christ. While attending weekly church services is vital, true spiritual growth often happens in the spaces beyond Sunday mornings. Bible study provides that consistent opportunity to dig deeper into God’s Word and explore how it applies to the challenges and joys of daily life. When you commit to a regular rhythm of study, you’re saying to God, “I want to know You more.” This recurring act of devotion becomes a spiritual habit, transforming your faith into an active, living relationship with Christ.

The Importance of Fellowship: Fellowship is a vital part of the Christian journey. While personal faith is foundational, it’s in community that we find encouragement, accountability, and strength. Men, in particular, often carry the weight of societal expectations that discourage emotional vulnerability and openness. Yet, when men come together in a shared space with a shared purpose, something remarkable happens. Barriers come down, hearts open, and bonds form in a way that reflects God’s design for unity and brotherhood. Man Camp embodies this principle of fellowship. It’s more than a retreat—it’s a pilgrimage of faith that invites men to rediscover their tribe: a group of men who will walk alongside them, pray for them, and encourage them in their journey with Christ.

Hidden Blessings: Service enriches your spirit, strengthens your faith, and provides moments of clarity and gratitude that are hard to find elsewhere. In the words of Peter Marshall, “Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.” Even the simplest act of service can have a ripple effect, touching lives in ways we may never fully understand. By serving others, we are serving Christ—planting seeds of love, joy, and faith that transform the world, one small act at a time.

The Greatest Gift: When we give, we experience a joy and fulfillment that transcends the material. Helping someone in need or brightening their day brings a sense of purpose and connection that reflects universal love in action. Whether it’s supporting a mission trip, contributing to a fundraiser, or simply offering a kind word, every act of generosity brings us closer to the heart of Christ. As Anne Frank so beautifully said, “No one has ever become poor by giving.” This profound truth captures the essence of generosity. Giving is not about loss—it’s about abundance. It enriches the giver in ways that are often intangible but deeply meaningful. Through giving, we experience God’s gifts both in what we give and what we receive.

Creating a Rhythm: Despite its simplicity, I found it surprisingly challenging to establish a daily prayer practice. It took effort, intentionality, and a willingness to push past unfamiliarity to make prayer a consistent part of my routine. Like brushing your teeth, it’s something that becomes automatic only with repetition. The key is to start small and remain persistent. Prayer doesn’t have to be perfect—it just needs to be honest. Over time, it shifts from feeling like a task to becoming a natural rhythm of life.

What Baptism Represents: Baptism, at its core, is an act of obedience and faith. It is a public proclamation of belief in Jesus Christ and a symbolic washing away of the old life to embrace the new. The water represents purification, the death of our sinful selves, and the resurrection into a renewed relationship with God. But baptism is not merely about the act itself; it is about the heart. It is a reflection of one’s decision to follow Christ fully, leaving behind a life dictated by self and embracing one led by a greater purpose. In this way, baptism is not the end of a spiritual journey, but the beginning of a life transformed by kindness and truth.

Breaking Free from Strongholds: The session on strongholds was particularly memorable. It was here that we confronted the personal barriers—the fears, doubts, and sins—that held us back from living a life fully devoted to God. In an environment of honesty and trust, we named these strongholds and began the process of breaking free. For the first time in years, I witnessed what a true “safe space” looked like—a place where judgment was absent, and kindness was abundant.

Exploring Life’s Big Questions: At its core, Alpha is a series of sessions designed to explore life’s big questions through the lens of faith. It’s built around shared meals—and in our case, an IPA (who knew faith and craft beer could make such a perfect pairing?). Each session features thought-provoking videos and open, judgment-free conversations, offering a safe space to ask questions, share doubts, and wrestle with faith alongside others. For me, Alpha became more than just a chance to deepen my understanding of faith—it was an opportunity to reflect on whether I was truly living the life God intended for me. As Steve Jobs once said, “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” That quote resonated as I thought about the freedom and clarity Alpha offers. It’s not about living according to others’ expectations but about discovering your faith authentically and allowing it to shape the life you’re meant to lead. Alpha allowed me to explore my spiritual identity in a way that was both honest and transformative.

Turning to Faith in Crisis: Over the years, church became a place I turned to in times of crisis. A family loss, a career misstep, or the end of a relationship would nudge me back to a pew, but these visits were often fleeting. My faith was something I reached for in pain and drifted from in comfort. Faith, however, is often about stepping forward into uncertainty. As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”