Keeping Your Foot on the Gas: The Uncomfortable Path of Intentional Faith
Intentionally seeking after Christ often feels like a solitary journey. In a world of casual Christianity, you’re either seen as a crazy fanatic or just another believer. No in-between. That view of the world is a little harsh for my liking. As always, the truth lies in the nuance.
Though I desired it, I never used to see myself as someone intentionally pursuing Christ. My younger years were full of spiritual struggles. Having given my life to the Lord in my early teens but not having a clear understanding of what that meant and where to go from there left me confused and struggling. Many mistakes were made.
As a self-employed individual and a self-starter in most areas of life, I’ve always been driven to excel. But that drive didn’t fully extend to my faith for a long time. I was going through the motions, occasionally reading the Word and not truly living it out.
In 2017, my entire world changed forever.
Aspects of my marriage and personal life were blowing up. The comfortable facade I had built started to crumble, revealing the cracks in my spiritual foundation. Recognizing the need for help, I started meeting with a Christian counselor. This decision began a transformative journey, working on healing myself and my marriage.
Through counseling and a renewed commitment to my faith, I started to think differently about my role as a believer, husband, father, and businessman. I began to understand what it truly meant to read the Word and do the Word. This shift in perspective made me seem peculiar to some, ultimately making me feel closer to God.
For the last seven years, I’ve been intentionally seeking Christ, striving to apply His teachings in every aspect of my life—from my personal growth to my family relationships, business practices, and community involvement.
It hasn’t been a perfect road. Struggles don’t go away overnight; perhaps some never will, and the people watching you grow will often be discouraging rather than encouraging. I also found that doing this challenges the faith of others, which was unexpected.
Christians genuinely living out their faith aren’t always what they seem. Contrary to what most churches will tell you, attending Sunday services, serving once a month, and faithfully tithing isn’t enough to grow in Christ or forge deeper connections with other men for encouragement and accountability. You’ve been misled about what it truly means to excel in faith and build authentic Christian community. Let’s challenge some common misconceptions about what it takes to live an intentional Christian life.
Misconception #1 – The path of intentional faith is lonely because of external factors
No, it’s lonely because it’s uncomfortable.
What I do is lonely not because there’s a lack of people around, but because most people, myself included at times, shy away from depth and vulnerability. We’ve created a Christian culture where it’s easier to make small talk about the weather after church than to dive into the storms raging in our hearts.
People would rather exchange pleasantries than go deep. We’ve become experts at crafting the perfect social media post that makes our lives look blessed and problem-free. We want to appear like everything is okay, even when it’s not. It’s as true in our church communities, business networks, and local neighborhoods.
I’ve noticed this tendency in myself, too. We’re quick to be there for someone else in their time of need, offering prayers and casseroles. But when it comes to our own struggles, we’d rather not burden others. We don’t want people to have to be there for us.
This discomfort with vulnerability creates a paradox. Fellow believers surround us, yet we feel isolated. We’re in a community, yet we’re lonely.
I remember when I first started opening up about the challenges in my marriage and personal life. It was terrifying. I was afraid of being judged, appearing weak, and not living up to the image I assumed others had of me. But it was through this vulnerability that I found true connection and growth.
The challenge isn’t that there aren’t enough committed Christians around us. The real challenge is finding the courage to be real with each other, to move past the superficial and into the messy reality of our lives.
So the path feels lonely because it requires us to do something uncomfortable: to be genuine, to be vulnerable, to admit we don’t have it all together. It’s easier to stay on the surface, to keep conversations light and relationships shallow. But that’s not where growth happens. That’s not where true community is formed.
Learning to embrace discomfort, to be okay with not being okay, is not easy. But it’s a characteristic of those truly seeking to live out their faith authentically. As a self-employed person, I’ve had to learn this in business too – authenticity and vulnerability often lead to the most meaningful client relationships and opportunities for witness.
The path of intentional faith might feel lonely at times, but remember – you’re not alone in feeling alone. The deeper you go, the more you’ll find others who are longing for the same depth and authenticity. It’s in this space of shared vulnerability that we truly begin to experience the community God intended for us.
Misconception #2 – You’re missing some key spiritual knowledge
In my journey of healing and growth, I’ve had the opportunity to guide others in deepening their faith and integrating it into all aspects of their lives.
At first, I thought they were all missing some key theological insight or spiritual practice because I had thought this of myself. I’ve since learned that people are drowning in information but starving themselves of application.
Less intentional Christians keep acquiring more Bible knowledge and never implementing it because they fear failure or radical change. I encountered an example recently.
Earlier this year, we discussed how we apply Scripture in our lives during a Bible study. One of the group members shared that he was struggling to balance his faith, family, and work. He mentioned he had been faithfully attending Bible studies for years, including this one, which was his third concurrent study group.
As he spoke, I could sense his frustration. Despite his dedication to studying God’s Word, he admitted that his family felt neglected. Clearly, all his biblical knowledge wasn’t translating into practical life changes.
Feeling compelled to speak up, I gently suggested that perhaps what he needed wasn’t more study but rather a focus on applying what he’d already learned. I shared how my journey had transformed when I started intentionally living out the Scriptures, not just reading them.
“Have you considered taking a break from one of your study groups,” I asked, “and instead, using that time to deliberately apply a biblical principle to your family or work life?”
The room grew quiet. Some faces showed a mix of thoughtfulness and discomfort, and he looked taken aback.
“But isn’t studying the Bible what we’re supposed to do?” he responded, a hint of defensiveness in his voice. “Are you suggesting that coming to Bible study is a waste of time?”
I clarified that Bible study is crucial, but it’s meant to fuel action, not replace it. “James 1:22 tells us to be doers of the word, not hearers only,” I reminded the group. “What if we challenged ourselves to share one way we lived out last week’s lesson before we move on to the next study?”
This suggestion was met with mixed reactions. Some nodded in agreement, while others seemed uncomfortable with such direct accountability.
The moment highlighted a common misconception in our faith walks: that accumulating biblical knowledge alone is enough. It reminded me of how easy it is to hide behind our study of the Word, using it as a shield against the discomfort of truly living it out.
An even bigger sign of a less intentional Christian is when they’re easily offended by a harmless question like, “How are you living out the scripture we’ve been studying?”
This example perfectly illustrates why more information isn’t the answer. Endless Bible study without application has led to people overloading their minds with more knowledge and becoming spiritually immature believers who lack emotional intelligence and the ability to deal with challenges to their comfort zone.
Obsession with Christ, driven by daily spiritual habits backed by accountability systems, will get you 10x further than more Biblical context from yet another commentary. I learned this through my counseling journey, reading, and attempting to change my own life—knowledge without application leads nowhere.
Being an intentional Christian is lonely because most believers think they lack information. Asking for permission and following the conventional church program is the default, which only leads to us becoming overwhelmed and drowning in religious busyness.
If you can stop being a spiritual information hoarder and start actively living out your faith, you will change your world.
Misconception #3 – Faithful people are fearless
When you compare yourself to people at church or Christian social media influencers, it’s easy to think everyone’s winning and you’re not. This is untrue.
People of faith aren’t fearless. I certainly wasn’t when I started my intentional faith and healing journey.
The pattern has always been the same in my conversations over the last seven years about faith, family, and business.
We’re afraid of:
- Failing God and others
- Spiritual imposter syndrome
- Not feeling like a “good enough” Christian
- Not being experienced enough in our faith
- Being judged or criticized for our convictions
The average believer never fully overcomes these fears. They prevent them from ever taking bold steps of faith, and they never learn that it’s their fear holding them back. When you interact with Christians from all walks of life, you learn the truth.
Most people are paralyzed by their fears, even within the church.
As a result, I can’t comprehend how people can possibly stay in spiritually dead churches or compromising situations when each day they’re slowly dying inside, and their spiritual vitality is breaking down.
So, it’s hard to find close friendships within the broader Christian community.
Suppose you can learn to overcome fear through faith in Christ. In that case, you can easily join the ranks of transformative believers, making a real difference in their families, businesses, and communities. That is where I want to be.
Misconception #4 – Vulnerability is a sign of weakness
This idea is not just wrong; it’s dangerously outdated.
In a world where everyone’s skeptical about each other, why not just live life out in the open, failures and all? The notion that we need to present a perfect image is not only exhausting but also counterproductive to genuine faith and relationships.
I’m trying to do this in my own life – being open about my struggles and victories alike, while being considerate of my family’s privacy. It’s a delicate balance, but one that I believe is crucial for authentic Christian living.
Social media has made crafting a highlight reel of our lives incredibly easy. We can filter our experiences, showing only the victories, the picture-perfect family moments, the business successes. But this curated reality is far from the truth.
I’ve seen men whose social media profiles show a life of blessing and success, while in reality, their marriages are falling apart. Their businesses are struggling. Their faith is wavering. But online, everything looks fine.
This disconnect between image and reality is crippling our ability to form genuine connections and support each other in our faith journeys. It’s creating a culture of isolation, where everyone thinks they’re the only one struggling.
But here’s the truth: if your foot is not on the gas pedal, you’re coasting to a stop. Faith, like any other aspect of life, requires constant effort and forward momentum. When we pretend everything is okay, we rob ourselves of the opportunity for growth and support.
I remember when I first started sharing about the challenges in my marriage and business. It was terrifying. I worried about what others would think and how it might affect my reputation. But something incredible happened. People started opening up to me. They shared their own struggles. Suddenly, I wasn’t alone anymore.
Being vulnerable doesn’t mean oversharing or disregarding others’ privacy. It means being honest about where you are in your journey. It means admitting when you’re struggling and celebrating genuine victories. It means being real about the daily grind of living out your faith in a world that often seems indifferent or hostile to it.
In my business, I’ve found that clients appreciate this authenticity. They’re tired of dealing with people who pretend to have it all together. When they see someone willing to be real about their struggles and their faith, it opens doors for deeper connections and more meaningful work.
So, let’s challenge this misconception head-on. Vulnerability isn’t weakness – it’s courage. It’s not about exposing every detail of your life, but about being honest about your journey, your struggles, and your faith. It’s about keeping your foot on the gas pedal of spiritual growth, even when – especially when – things get tough.
In a world of skepticism, let your life be an open book. Not a filtered, edited version, but the real story, complete with dog-eared pages and coffee stains. That’s where the real power of testimony lies. That’s where we can truly encourage and support one another in our faith journeys.
Misconception #5 – I’ll start my spiritual journey seriously next year
I’ve heard this one several times. Once I get over this hump, I will start focusing on my relationship with Christ.
The mediocre, middle-of-the-road Christians love to delay spiritual goals to someday, one day. They’re going to get serious about their faith. Just not right now. They’re busy. Timing isn’t right. They’re getting their spiritual ducks in a row (they probably should surrender those ducks to God instead).
If not now, then when will you follow Christ wholeheartedly?
What’s so special about next year compared to right now? What if next year never comes? It’s lonely in intentional Christian circles because we don’t delay our commitment to Christ. If it’s a godly goal, it’s a priority for today. If it’s not aligned with God’s will, then we stop obsessing over it. There’s no in-between.
Most believers have too many spiritual goals. Too many bright ideas for ministry or faith-based businesses, I know I struggle with this.
It’s better to have one clear calling and forget all the other shiny objects. But this way of thinking is uncommon. When I tell people I’m seven years into my journey of deeper faith and have a lifetime to go, I get a confused nod. The mission seems overly simplistic. There’s no wavering. It’s driven by my desire to be purely devoted to Christ.
I have had people tell me that I shouldn’t be sharing about my personal life online.
Maybe they’re right, but that thought makes me even lonelier. I don’t understand half-hearted commitment to Christ because half-heartedness quickly becomes heart-hardened for me. Perhaps that’s my personality.
Integrating faith and business isn’t some game to me. I’m living out my faith and building a business around my God-given passion, which feels natural and purposeful. So it’s not some useless religious performance to gain influence. Influence never was the goal.
When you know what God has called you to do in your personal life and business, the desire to delay it until next year or some future point becomes a crazy idea.
You either start following Christ wholeheartedly today or never, even if your most recent mistake was yesterday. If you choose today, it’s often the loneliest path.
Closing Thought
I don’t mind being lonely pursuing Christ-centered living and business, but I don’t want to live there forever. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul encouraged them to focus on the gospel, their spiritual growth and confidence, dealing with oppression, and seeking Christ for peace and strength. The journey, at times, can be lonely.
To me, there’s immense joy in pursuing a faith that’s alive, active, and deeply meaningful. It’s inspiring to see believers who are intentionally growing, making a lasting impact, and achieving things of eternal value. Being part of a community that encourages continuous spiritual growth and supports each other in living out their faith daily is fulfilling.
Imagine waking up each Monday morning with a sense of purpose, carrying the warmth of genuine worship and fellowship into your week. Picture a life where your faith consistently informs and enriches your personal life and business decisions. This isn’t just a weekend high but a daily adventure of walking with Christ, facing challenges with faith, and seeing gradual but real transformation in yourself and those around you.
Choose the uncommon path of intentional faith. Dare to implement high-impact spiritual habits that’ll make you peculiar for Christ in your family life, work, and community.
Reflect on which of these misconceptions resonated the most with your faith journey and why. Then, take one step today towards deeper commitment to Christ, your family, your business, and your calling. Remember, the path of an intentional Christian may be lonely, but it’s infinitely rewarding.
