There comes a moment in all of our journeys when simply “believing in God” feels… small. It’s not enough to just say the prayers or attend Mass on Sundays. Something stirs; a quiet, persistent nudge that says,
“There is more of Me to discover.”
For me, that nudge came after a really hard season. I had drifted from the Church, only showing up at Christmas and Easter. Then I lost my first child to miscarriage. One day, I wandered into our small country church with all my anger and grief in tow. I had a few choice words for the Big Guy! I left furious, questioning, wounded – but something lingered from that visit, a tiny spark tucked away in my soul. Later, when my next child was born, I realized I couldn’t raise her by sheer willpower – I needed Christ. That was the start of a real, intentional journey.
The Church calls this a life of discipleship. Baptism marks our beginning in Christ (CCC 1229, 1248), but discipleship keeps inviting us to turn our hearts toward God, again and again (CCC 1426–1432). Some saints and spiritual directors describe this journey as a series of steps or stages, a gradual unfolding of faith, where the heart, mind, and soul are shaped over time. The Church may speak of it as ongoing conversion and growth in holiness, while they often call it a “spiritual journey” or “interior ascent.” Regardless of the words we use, the invitation is the same: it’s less about perfection, and more about showing up, leaning into prayer, the sacraments, community, and learning at every stage of life.
Friends Along the Journey: Saints as Mentors
I love celebrating the saints of October—some of my very favorites—whose wisdom speaks beautifully to this spiritual journey, this interior ascent of the soul.
- St. Ignatius of Loyola is a bit like that wise friend who knows you’re passionate but need guidance. After his conversion, his heart burned with zeal, but he had to learn how to listen and surrender. He reminds me—and all of us—that early excitement becomes real love when it’s disciplined and attentive.
- St. Teresa of Ávila, in her “Second Mansions,” speaks like a mentor gently nudging us through distractions and interior struggles. She shows that sensing God’s call and struggling with consistency is part of the journey, not a failure.
- St. Augustine, with his restless searching, reminds us that questions and intellectual seeking aren’t obstacles—they’re invitations. Real discipleship begins when curiosity turns into surrender.
- St. Pope John Paul II encouraged in his reflections on the spiritual life, each step of seeking, questioning, and surrendering is part of the ongoing journey of conversion: “Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth” (Fides et Ratio, 1998).
For me, these saints’ journeys echoed my own experiences. Showing up for a young moms’ group at VBS with my daughter, building friendships, and watching children grow up was my real-life classroom. That feeling of belonging was the foundation I needed to learn more. I devoured books on faith, scripture, and spiritual formation, joined study groups, and discovered that discipleship thrives in community and in the willingness to keep seeking.
Taking Small Steps
Questions naturally arise as we start paying attention:
- How do I grow closer to God in the midst of busy life?
- What does being a disciple really look like day-to-day?
- Can my faith influence my work, my relationships, my parenting?
For me, the call got bolder nine months into my fourth pregnancy – I felt a push to start a youth ministry program. Terrifying! How could I possibly do this….now. But I took a few small steps and saw that God was paving the path. He opened doors I never imagined. Those small steps led to more and more leadership roles within the Church.
Discipleship, at its heart, is turning toward Christ and letting Him guide the steps we can’t see yet. It’s less about perfection and more about obedience, surrender, and trust.
Radical Discipleship: Saying Yes in Ordinary Life
Radical discipleship might sound intimidating, but it’s really about saying yes to Christ in ways that shake up comfort zones, reorder priorities, and sometimes scare us. Pope Francis reminds us in Evangelii Gaudium that joy comes from following Christ, even when it challenges us. Following Him transforms us and the world around us.
Even in small moments—attending Mass regularly, joining a study group, volunteering for a ministry, we practice radical discipleship. It’s ordinary, messy, and brave, just like our everyday yeses to God.
Walking Together
If you’re wondering where to start – look around. Who can walk with you? What small step can you take this week toward Christ? My hope is that by sharing my own journey, from brokenness and anger, to community, learning, and leadership, you’ll see that discipleship is accessible. It begins where we are, with what we have, and with the courage to say yes.
And remember, you’re not alone. Saints like Ignatius, Teresa, and Augustine are more than history, they’re mentors whose lives whisper encouragement to us today. We, too, can be companions to one another on this journey of radical, life-giving discipleship.
This post is part of a series reflecting on the stages of faith, exploring how God meets us differently in every season of our hearts and sometimes those feelings of transition can confuse or even scare us. The unknown works that way. But the first step is simply to notice. To give it words.
This post is part of a series reflecting on the stages of faith, exploring how God meets us differently in each season of our hearts. As Janet Hagberg reminds us in The Critical Journey, moving from one stage to the next often stirs feelings of uncertainty, confusion, or even fear and that’s completely normal. The unknown tends to feel that way. The first step, though, is simple: notice what’s happening in your heart. Give it words. Sit with it. Pay attention. Talk with God. He often meets us in those very moments of discomfort, inviting us to take the next small step of trust.
I’m sharing more personal reflections and life stories in my newsletter – The Sabbath Way. If you’d like to receive these reflections and coaching prompts directly in your inbox, you can subscribe to my newsletter for encouragement and guidance throughout the series.
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