For the past two years I’ve been cooking meals consistently for our family. Not long after dear Danielle gave birth, I was able to take that on fully, and have loved it ever since. We had gotten to a place where fast food was our go-to meal option, and it really was starting to take a toll both on finances and our mental headspace. So, I started to utilize our cookbooks we had collected and easy family recipes, in order to build out a good rotation of quick to make options and then have fun trying out new ones.
I learned very quickly that fast food is great for a little while, but good food is much more fulfilling.
I think the same is true for our faith.
All too often we lean towards the quick option; checking the boxes and never actually living out the lifestyle that Christ exemplified during His ministry. I’m guilty of this coasting faith, checking the box of a Sunday service and a glance at the verse of the day.
But that’s a fast faith, something that might get me by for a moment, but in the long run will cause me to burn out.
Over the course of our marriage and ministry, dear Danielle and I have rooted ourselves in a fulfilling faith, one that has re-centered ourselves to follow the way of Jesus, not just checking a box that looks really great from the outside, but is empty on the inside.
For the past few years, I was in ministry surrounded by ideas and talking points that were all about the gathering on Sunday morning, and not about the fruit developing within.
It was difficult, I was in a place of feeling shame for not having the most enormous turnout that could be for young adults, but was proud of the growth those that were in my ministry experienced.
It was like I was being told that we need to get people desiring the fast food faith, one that means you are here each Sunday to get what you need, and always come back wanting more.
As followers of Christ, we are called to a daily faith journey, one where we are fulfilled each day by a pursuit of that relationship with Christ.
I was struggling and I was dismissed. So, I decided to step out of that flywheel, making the best choice, rooting myself in an authentic church where formation was the focus.
We now are in a place where I am encouraged and empowered in my own faith, together and then live following the way of Christ. I share this because I think it’s important for each of us who follow Jesus, to actually make sure we are the ones doing the following.
Cooking a meal takes time, you need to plan ahead, sometimes use a recipe, and make sure the ingredients are there. Fast food is quick, and it can get the job done, but often isn’t savored and leaves you feeling unsatisfied. It’s tasty and can be good, but over time can grow old and cause you to be sluggish.
This leaves us with a question; what kind of faith do I want and desire?
A fast faith that I get by with? Or a fulfilling faith that takes me on a daily walk with my teacher, Jesus?
Gatherings are good and important, but in order to be spiritually formed, I need to be a disciple. I have heard and maybe you have also been taught, that Jesus chose unqualified people to be the foundation of His church, which is true, but teachings often stop there. The reality is, Jesus called those who were unqualified to follow Him, daily, for years until it was time for Him to depart. Jesus calls us to do the same, to know that we don’t have to be perfect, but we do need to be actively following in His footsteps.
My encouragement to you is this, desire a fulfilling faith, not a fast one.
Follow the way of Jesus each day, you don’t have to be perfect, you just have to be willing. Much like you don’t need to be formally trained by a Michelin star chef, sometimes you just need a recipe from Pinterest to make a good meal.
Follow your great teacher and enter a fulfilling faith that will sustain you.
Your friend and pastor,
Joshua
About the Author: Joshua Thomas is a husband, father, and pastor doing what he can to love others the way Jesus did. You can find him reading a good book, sipping warm tea, taking pictures, or dreaming. He may not have it all figured out, but the journey is the best part. You can find him on the social media he uses Tik Tok, Bluesky, Instagram, and Substack
