One Step Closer: How to Keep Growing in Faith When You’re Not Sure What’s Next
"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way." Psalm 37:23 (NKJV)
The rain had just stopped. A teenager stood under a dim streetlight, soaked from running through the storm. He had just left a youth retreat where he gave his life to Christ. Now, walking home with the world quiet around him, he felt something shift inside. Peace. Joy. But also a strange question rising in his heart: What now?
Maybe you've had a moment like that. A breakthrough, a rededication, or just a quiet season where you’ve felt closer to God than ever before. You’ve made progress, and it matters. But now you’re wondering what comes next.
This blog is for anyone who finds themselves at that point. You’re not starting over, and you’re not standing still. You’re ready to take your next step with God. Let’s talk about how to keep moving forward in your faith journey with purpose, passion, and peace.
Start with Spiritual Goals, Not Just Spiritual Feels
Growth doesn’t happen by accident. It comes with intention. Just like physical fitness or learning a new skill, our spiritual life deepens when we set goals and stay committed to them. These goals don’t have to be massive. They just need to be real.
Maybe your next step is to wake up 15 minutes earlier to read the Bible. Maybe it’s joining a small group or finally forgiving someone you’ve held resentment toward. Perhaps it’s simply a matter of deciding to trust God more deeply in a difficult situation.
Start by asking, “Where is God nudging me to grow?” Don’t look for perfection. Look for direction.
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)
This verse was written by the apostle Peter, who had firsthand experience with stumbling and getting back up. He wrote these words as a final encouragement to believers, urging them not to plateau but to keep growing in grace. It’s a reminder that our faith is a living journey, not a one-time decision.
Go Deeper, Not Just Wider
Sometimes, we think spiritual growth means adding more to our plate—more podcasts, more books, more activities. But the next step might be going deeper with what you already have.
Are you truly listening when you pray, or are you rushing through words? Are you reading Scripture to check off a bo,x or are you soaking in what God is saying?
Ask yourself what it would look like to slow down and let God’s voice be louder than your own.
Deepening your walk with God often means less doing and more being. Be with Him. Rest in Him. Talk with Him throughout your day, not just in the quiet moments. Invite Him into the ordinary.
Stay Committed to Long-Term Growth
Emotions fade—motivation wavers. But commitment, rooted in love, lasts.
You might not always feel spiritual, but that doesn’t mean you’re not growing. Sometimes the most powerful spiritual moments are the quiet ones, where only God sees. Consistency in your walk with Him builds something unshakable.
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9 (NASB)
Paul wrote this to early believers facing all kinds of pressures. His message was simple. Keep going. Faith is not a sprint. It’s a lifetime of steps—sometimes fast, sometimes slow, but always forward.
If you’ve been faithful in little things, take heart. God sees your effort, your prayers, and your steps. And He is with you.
So, What’s Your Next Step?
Take a breath. You don’t have to figure out your whole future. Just ask God what your next step is today. Write it down. Pray about it. Commit to it not out of fear, but out of love.
Whether you’re starting your morning in quiet prayer, reconnecting with a faith community, or simply choosing to believe God’s promises again, your next step matters.
And remember, every step taken with God is a step in the right direction.
Your Next Step:
Today, write down one spiritual goal for the next 30 days. Make it simple, specific, and surrender to God. Share it with someone you trust and ask for accountability. Don’t walk alone. Grow in community and stay rooted in God’s love.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to keep walking with You, one faithful step at a time. Grow in me a heart that seeks You daily, and give me the strength to never give up on this journey. Amen.
Want more encouragement? Subscribe to the EXCEL2FAITH Newsletter at www.excel2faith.com for fresh devotionals, tools, and inspiration every week.
Interactive Exercise: “Fill in the Faith Steps” Challenge
Instructions:
Fill in the missing words from the five-step journey described in the blog. Each blank represents a key action or theme from the steps. Try completing it without looking back!
1. R _ _ _ _ _ _ on how far you’ve come
(Think gratitude and celebration)
2. L _ _ _ _ _ for God’s leading
(It’s about pausing and listening)
3. S _ _ a spiritual G _ _ _
(Something clear and prayerful)
4. Go D _ _ _ _ _ with I _ _ _ _ _ _ _
(Focus on depth over activity)
5. Stay C _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ even when it’s quiet
(This is where real roots grow)
Answer sheet (No peeking)
• Reflect • Learn. • Set / Goal. • Deeper / Introspect. • Consistent
Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God
Have you ever paused to consider just how crazy God's love is for you? In "Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God," Francis Chan invites readers to shake off lukewarm faith and step into an all-consuming, vibrant relationship with the Creator of the universe. This isn’t just a feel-good read—it’s a wake-up call for anyone tired of coasting through their spiritual life. Chan doesn’t sugarcoat. He challenges us to evaluate our love for God in light of His overwhelming love for us—a love that’s anything but casual.
Just like the blog “One Step Closer,” this book pushes us beyond passive belief and into passionate pursuit. It’s about setting spiritual goals that aren’t just routine but transformative. It echoes the article’s encouragement to take intentional steps with God, deepening your walk not with more noise but with more surrender. If you're ready to move forward in faith—not just one step, but a leap—this book is for you.
Don't miss out on the challenge and beauty this book offers.
Get your copy of "Crazy Love" today and let God redefine what love and faith really look like.
And while you're at it, subscribe to The EXCEL2FAITH Newsletter at www.excel2faith.com for more tools to grow your faith.
Heavenly Father, thank You for walking with me through every step of this journey, even when I don’t know where it leads. Stir in me a desire to know You more, to listen for Your voice, and to trust You with every next step. Help me grow not just in knowledge, but in love, obedience, and intimacy with You. I long to walk closer each day, rooted in faith, guided by grace, and held in Your everlasting arms.