Five Movements Toward Becoming Fully Human in Christ

The Way of Becoming

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

— Matthew 11:28–29 (NIV)

What if spiritual growth is less about trying harder and more about learning to live deeply loved?

Jesus invites us into something far richer than religious performance. He welcomes us into a living relationship with himself—a relationship that gradually transforms how we see God, ourselves, and one another.

Along the way, we discover that belonging precedes striving, that love helps us become our true selves, that maturity grows through relationships, and that even in life's difficulties, we can learn to return to joy.

These five movements describe a lifelong journey of becoming.

They are not steps to master or levels to achieve. We revisit them again and again as the Holy Spirit forms the life of Jesus within us.

“Wherever you are on your journey, there is a place for you here.”

The 30-Second Journey

Explore the Five Movements

Select any movement below to explore its invitation, theological discovery, everyday life expression, and gentle small practice:

Movement One • Welcome

Come Home to Love

“You belong before you accomplish.”

Before Jesus asks us to do anything for him, he invites us to come to him.

Our journey begins not with achievement, but with welcome.

We were created for loving communion with God. Yet many of us have learned to approach him through the exhausting habits of proving ourselves, hiding our weaknesses, or trying to become worthy of his affection.

Jesus offers another beginning. Come home.

Formation in Depth

The Discovery

God's love is not a reward for spiritual performance.

In Jesus Christ, we are invited to receive the love and new life for which we were created.

As we learn to recognize his loving presence, our hearts gradually become more secure.

This is where transformation begins: not with frantic striving, but with receiving.

In Everyday Life

You may notice yourself becoming less defensive, less driven to impress, and more able to receive kindness.

You begin to live from love rather than constantly reaching for approval.

“We love because He first loved us.”

— 1 John 4:19 (NASB)

A Moment with Terri

Childhood Attachment to the Father

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“When I was eight, after one of my father's angry outbursts, I was sitting confused and hurt, wondering what I had done and how I was going to live with this.”

“Then I heard God's voice with a clarity I have never forgotten: ‘Your dad has a problem. It is not your fault, and you will find a better way.’ Something inside me sat up. I knew: ‘That's my Father. He sees me. He gets me. He cares about me.’ A deep attachment to God formed in me that day.”

Pause. Receive. Practice.

Rest in God's Gaze

1 Minute

Find a quiet moment. Take a gentle breath. Turn your attention toward Jesus.

Ask: “Jesus, what would you like me to know about your love for me today?”

Remain quietly attentive. There is nothing to achieve.

Explore Daily Chapel →

Movement Two • Identity

Rest in Your True Identity

“You no longer have to become someone else to stay loved.”

Many of us have spent years becoming the people we thought we needed to be.

We learned to protect ourselves through performance, withdrawal, control, pleasing others, or hiding our vulnerabilities.

Jesus does not shame us for the ways we learned to protect ourselves.

He invites us into the freedom of becoming who we truly are in him.

Formation in Depth

The Discovery

As we grow secure in God's love, we can begin to recognize the difference between our God-given identity and the protective patterns we have developed.

Our deepest identity is not found in our failures, accomplishments, wounds, or defenses. It is found in our relationship with Christ.

The Holy Spirit patiently forms his character within us.

In Everyday Life

You may notice moments when you feel compelled to impress, defend, withdraw, or control.

Instead of condemning yourself, become curious:

“What am I afraid might happen?”
“What am I trying to protect?”
“What might it look like to respond from love?”

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

— Galatians 2:20 (NASB)

Pause. Receive. Practice.

Notice the Mask

2 Minutes

Recall a recent moment when you felt pressure to prove yourself or hide.

Ask: “What was I afraid of losing?”

Then prayerfully ask: “Jesus, who am I when I am safe in your love?”

Notice what emerges without forcing an answer.

Explore the Maturity Pathway →

Movement Three • Relationship

Learn the Ways of Love

“We become ourselves through relationship.”

Jesus did not invite his disciples merely to study his teachings. He invited them to share his life.

They walked together, ate together, struggled together, misunderstood one another, and learned the ways of love in ordinary relationships.

We grow in much the same way.

Formation in Depth

The Discovery

Spiritual maturity is deeply relational.

We learn patience through frustration. We learn forgiveness when relationships need repair. We learn courage when truth must be spoken. We learn tenderness when another person is vulnerable.

Healthy relationships help us remain loving, truthful, and connected—even when circumstances become difficult.

In Everyday Life

Difficult interactions can become opportunities for growth.

We become more willing to repair ruptures, establish healthy boundaries, listen with curiosity, and remain present with people who see things differently.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

— John 13:34–35 (NASB)

A Moment with Terri

A Golden Memory of Being Delighted In

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“When I was six, a truck pulled onto our farm and someone unloaded a chocolate-brown Shetland pony. That wasn't unusual; people sometimes rented our pasture. My dad took the halter and began leading the pony away. Then he suddenly turned toward me: ‘This is for you.’”

“I can still remember the feeling. I felt completely seen, known, and cared for by my father. That memory became one of the ways I understood something about God: our Father loves to give good gifts to His children.”

Pause. Receive. Practice.

Remember a Moment of Joy

3 Minutes

Recall a memory of being genuinely glad to be with someone—or of someone being glad to be with you.

Remember the person's face, the setting, and the feeling of welcome. Give thanks for that connection.

Ask: “Jesus, how might I offer this kind of welcome to someone today?”

Ebook Guide (PDF) Explore Life at The Table →

Movement Four • Maturity

Return to Joy

“Maturity is not never losing your peace. It is learning the way home.”

Jesus never promised us a life without trouble. He promised that we would not face it alone.

There will be seasons of grief, conflict, disappointment, exhaustion, and uncertainty. The question is not whether we will experience distress.

The question is whether we can learn to return to loving connection in the midst of it.

Formation in Depth

The Discovery

Emotional maturity includes the growing capacity to recognize distress, receive support, and recover our ability to remain relational.

This does not mean denying pain or forcing happiness. Joy is deeper than a pleasant emotion. It includes the gladness of loving connection, even when life is difficult.

Through Christ's presence and the care of others, we can learn to move through distress without losing our capacity for love.

In Everyday Life

You may recover more quickly after difficult conversations.

You become more able to acknowledge painful feelings without being ruled by them.

You learn when to rest, ask for help, and return to relationships that need repair.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

— Romans 15:13 (NASB)

A Moment with Terri

Returning to the Father in Severe Pain

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“During the long period when trigeminal neuralgia left me in severe pain, I eventually became furious with God. One day I went into the garage, locked myself in the car, and yelled everything I thought and felt at Him. Afterward I came back inside almost sheepishly and apologized.”

“Instead of rebuking me, I sensed Him lifting my face like a father putting a finger beneath his daughter's chin. I could almost see the sparkle in His eyes. And I heard: ‘Not even on your worst day can you ever lose My favor.’ I was still sick. I was still hurting. But something deep inside me changed. I knew that my circumstances were not the measure of His love, acceptance, or delight in me.”

Pause. Receive. Practice.

The Exhale and Return

2 Minutes

Pause. Take a slow, comfortable breath. Notice what is happening in your body and emotions.

Name your experience without judging it.

Pray: “Jesus, I welcome your presence with me right here.”

Remember a moment of gratitude or loving connection.

Ask: “What is one small step toward love that I can take now?”

Immanuel Journaling Explore Daily Chapel →

Movement Five • Generosity

Become a Living Shelter

“The love we receive becomes love we give.”

Jesus describes himself as gentle and humble in heart.

As we remain with him, something begins to shift within us. His way of being with people gradually becomes our way of being with people.

We become less consumed with proving ourselves and more available to love.

Our lives begin to offer others the welcome, patience, courage, and steadiness we have received.

Formation in Depth

The Discovery

Christian maturity is not measured simply by knowledge, achievement, or spiritual activity.

It is revealed in the growing character of Christ formed within us. We become people who can remain loving in difficulty, speak truth without contempt, exercise authority without domination, and make room for others to flourish.

We become a shelter—not because we are strong in ourselves, but because we are learning to abide in Christ.

In Everyday Life

People may experience you as someone who listens without rushing, offers wisdom without controlling, and brings steadiness into difficult situations.

You increasingly use your strength for the good of others.

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.”

— John 15:4 (NASB)

Pause. Receive. Practice.

Become a Place of Welcome

2 Minutes

Think of someone you will encounter today.

Ask: “What might it feel like for this person to experience the gentleness of Jesus through me?”

Consider one small expression of love: Listening. Encouraging. Telling the truth kindly. Making room for another voice.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you live it.

Maturity Resources Explore Life at The Table →

A Shared Pilgrimage

We Were Never Meant to Walk Alone

The way of Jesus is personal, but it was never meant to be solitary.

We learn to receive love, discover our true identity, grow through relationships, return to joy, and become a blessing to others.

And then we begin again.

Each season of life invites us more deeply into the same transforming love.

We need companions along the way—people who will welcome us, tell us the truth, help us repair what has been broken, and remind us who we are becoming in Christ.

There is room for you on this journey.

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