GROW IN DEPTH & MOVE WITH PURPOSE

[7-minute read]

Start well to finish well is a familiar adage we often hear. But just because it’s easy on the ear doesn’t make it a reliable truth because it fails to capture the reality that the middle journey significantly shapes the ending more than the beginning alone. For all followers of Jesus, it is more important to start faithfully, be mindful to grow in depth and move with purpose towards the finish. 

After the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, His disciples found themselves thrown into storms of controversies, contradictions and being confronted by the quality of their own understanding and belief in all that Jesus had taught them before. Like us, they struggled in uncertain times when they needed to put their faith to work. Knowing this, the Lord, “appeared to them over a period of 40 days and spoke about the Kingdom of God”as well as provided them with “many convincing proofs that He was alive.” (Acts 1:3).

So what was the Kingdom of God that Jesus spoke about? He gave His disciples an understanding of what His rule and reign was about. Not the political revolution people thought - but the spiritual revival and awakening that would come to humanity. The Kingdom of God is a movement, not a military ambition to overthrow governments. Calling them to this movement, Jesus’ desire was for the disciples to grow in depth and move with purpose.

Jesus emphasized three aspects of this call:

1/ APOSTURE OF SUBMISSION AND TRUST

Jesus explicitly told His disciples not to depart from the scene of upheaval, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift My Father promised” (Acts 1:4-5). Immediately, they changed course and returned to Jerusalem, went to the place where they were staying, “they all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women…” (Acts 1:12-14).

This involved the inconvenience of changing their itineraries, it required swift coordination of communications so that as many as possible would get the message from Jesus, and it required financial resources. 

Submission to God and trusting Him always cost something and involves certain risks. And it doesn’t always make sense in the beginning. But many of us have seen breakthroughs after breakthroughs from submitting to God and trusting Him through difficult seasons. [Reach out and ask someone in the BeInReach community to share their stories with you.]

What kind of behavior reflects this submission to God?

Ending an unhealthy or ungodly relationship, and trusting God to fill what’s empty in your life.Speaking with someone about your experience with God, and trusting God to create a new story in that person’s life.

Following God’s Word and His specific instructions instead of arguing with Him about what makes sense. Submitting your opinions to the Lordship of Jesus. If following your own opinion had worked, you wouldn’t be in such a jam now. 

2/ A PREOCCUPATION WITH THE GREAT COMMISSION

When the disciples were hoping that Jesus would end the political oppression of the day, Jesus spent time reframing their perception of what Kingdom victory was all about. Jesus reorientated and redirected their understanding to see that it was not political oppression but the oppression of darkness in the lives of those who were not saved.

Hence, the Lord said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). And “My food (focus and life purpose)is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work.” (John 4:34 paraphrased). 

All believers are given an unchanging lifelong mission to make disciples. Matthew 28:18-20 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” 

Discipleship (or introducing others to a life-changing relationship with Jesus) is the focus of our Lord, and so should be our focus and preoccupation. We all have life issues that are realities we  have to deal with. They are active platforms for faith and character development, not reasons to distract us from living out the God-given purposes in our lives. 

Those of us who are working need to examine if we are living on a constant diet of adrenaline and dopamine, constantly preoccupied with demands that downplay and deprioritize our time for building healthy relationships, for mental care, and for quiet reflection with God. 

More senior ones among us should ask God to help them live with greater Kingdom purpose and to expand their social connections (some of which can become non-existent as they let their social circles diminish over time).

In all, we need to shift our attention to matters of wider concern to God beyond ourselves, trusting that He is faithful and will take care of our personal needs.

The sea turtle may be slow, but it stays the course. This bears profound truth for us as we traverse with the Holy Spirit on the Great Commission. We can trust the Holy Spirit to guide us even when we are unsure of what to say or do. We are assured that “when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.” (John 16:13). If we don’t start somewhere, we won’t get better at sharing our testimonies with others. 

3/ A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

It is an error to think that Chrisitan living is simply about experiencing or being a witness of God’s works and power in our own lives and not sharing these personal stories with others. 

Jesus had this in mind when He said, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be My witnesses …to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8) 

In the grand scheme of things, He has assured us that “…anyone who believes in Me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works”. (John 14:12). Wait… even greater works? Yes, we may feel inadequate on our own, and that is absolutely normal. That’s why we need to partner with the Holy Spirit and tap onto His divine power and authority to be His witnesses. 

All the electrical power in the world doesn’t operate an electric kettle or light bulb that is connected to the power source but not turned on. All nice-sounding and soul-pumping catchphrases in church have limited effect in transforming lives without efforts to share our personal stories of faith in ordinary conversations with each other.

What does growing in depth and moving with purposelook like in our lives?

When we prioritize who we meet over how many people we spend time with.
When we place emphasis on the quality of conversation over mere updates.
When we reach out to show care because action is greater than private intentions.

When we go beyond the avoidance of rejection and take risks to deepen connections.

When we stop saying ‘I’m not there yet’ thinking we’re being modest and limiting our own growth.

The apostle Paul famously and truthfully declared, “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. (1 Corinthians 2:4-5).

As you commit to grow in depth and move with purpose, think about the ways that the Spirit’s power can be evident in your life today.

This is a summary and reflection based on a virtual BIR Session held on 18 April 2026.