Life is like a treadmill—if you’re not moving forward, you’re falling behind. Spiritually, there is no such thing as standing still. Like sea turtle hatchlings racing to the ocean, believers must keep moving or risk being overtaken by exhaustion or spiritual predators. Jesus’ parable of the sower in Matthew 13:1–8 reveals that there are many ways to die spiritually but only one way to truly live.

There are those who don’t understand the gospel and perish—unbelievers who need guidance and preaching to make sense of spiritual truth, as explained in Romans 10:14. Then there are those who have no roots—baby Christians who fall away under pressure because their faith hasn’t matured. Growth takes time, nourishment, and foundation, as Jeremiah 17:7–8 describes. Another group are the unfruitful, lukewarm Christians who get choked by worldly worries, distractions, and the pursuit of wealth. They go through the motions but lack fire and fruitfulness. Their condition is dangerous because they often don’t recognize it themselves, unlike new believers or unbelievers. Life groups serve to reignite passion and fruitfulness, just like wet logs can only catch fire when surrounded by burning ones.

Finally, there are the disciples—those who grow and thrive. They don’t settle for checkbox Christianity. Instead, they live by the Word, reflect on it, memorize it, and allow it to transform their lives. Their relationship with God is daily, alive, and real. Like in a marriage, love that’s based only on duty is not alive. True disciples understand that church shouldn’t be life support keeping them barely alive; it should be a gym where they grow stronger. But even the best gym won’t help someone with the wrong attitude.

Spiritual growth comes through daily connection with God—through worship, solitude, fasting, creation, prayer, learning, and more. Experts say running in a zigzag is the best way to avoid being hit by a shooter. Likewise, in the Christian walk, staying in motion makes us harder targets for the enemy. Growth is not optional—it’s survival. Keep moving, keep growing, and don’t let your faith become stagnant.