Why So Many Christians Feel Spiritually Stuck
By Meridith Curtis
There is a quiet frustration many Christians carry but rarely talk about openly.
They love Jesus.
They attend church.
They listen to sermons.
They read books and podcasts and worship playlists.
And yet… they still feel stuck.
Stuck in cycles of fear.
Stuck in spiritual passivity.
Stuck watching others live boldly for God while secretly wondering why their own faith feels dry and distant.
I believe one of the biggest reasons for this is simple:
We were never meant to merely consume Christianity. We were meant to live it.
Somewhere along the way, many believers were taught that following Jesus mostly meant attending services, gaining knowledge, and trying to avoid sin. But Jesus never invited people into a comfortable religious routine. He invited ordinary people into a radical life of discipleship.
"Follow Me," Jesus said.
And when people followed Him, they healed the sick, preached the gospel, prayed boldly, welcomed strangers, made disciples, cast out demons, shared meals, gave sacrificially, and carried the presence of God into everyday life.
Faith was never meant to stay inside a church building.
The Kingdom of God moves through surrendered people living on mission.
Information Isn't the Same as Transformation
We live in a generation overflowing with Christian content. Sermons are everywhere. Podcasts are endless. Bible studies are abundant.
But information alone does not transform us.
Transformation happens through obedience.
Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love Me, keep My commands."
There is something powerful that happens when believers stop merely learning about Jesus and begin actually living like Him. Faith comes alive when it moves into action.
Some Christians feel spiritually numb because their faith has become entirely inward. But the Kingdom was always meant to flow outward.
When you pray for someone for the first time… your faith grows.
When you share the gospel… your faith grows.
When you make disciples… your faith grows.
When you open your home in hospitality… your faith grows.
When you step out in obedience despite fear… your faith grows.
The Christian life was never designed to be lived from a pew alone.
What We're Seeing in Nashville
As our family has stepped deeper into disciple-making and launching MTC Nashville, we've seen this firsthand.
People are hungry for more than religious activity. They want authentic encounter. They want purpose. They want to know their lives matter in the Kingdom of God.
We've watched believers come alive again when they begin praying with people on the streets, opening their homes, discipling younger believers, and living intentionally with Jesus at the center of everyday life.
Not because they became perfect overnight.
But because faith becomes vibrant when it is activated.
The nations are gathering in cities like Nashville, and we believe God is calling ordinary believers to become everyday missionaries right where they are.
Jesus Never Called Spectators
Jesus didn't say:
"Watch others change the world."
He said:
"Go and make disciples."
This invitation is not only for pastors, missionaries, or ministry leaders. It is for every believer.
You do not need a platform to live a powerful Kingdom life.
You need obedience.
You need surrender.
You need willingness.
The beautiful thing is that God delights in using ordinary people who simply say yes.
That is one of the main reasons I wrote Kingdom Living. I wanted to create a practical invitation for believers who know there must be more than passive Christianity — because there is.
Jesus is still calling disciples.
The harvest is still plentiful.
The Kingdom is still advancing.
And your life was made to be part of it.
Personal Reflection
One of the greatest realizations our family has had is this: we were never meant to simply sit in a pew once a week and call that discipleship.
Salvation is not the finish line — it is the beginning of a transformed life fully surrendered to Jesus. True faith moves. True faith obeys. True faith makes disciples.
The more we step out in faith and action, the more alive our walk with Jesus becomes.
Practical Takeaway
This week, ask the Lord one simple question:
"Jesus, where are You inviting me to actively live out my faith?"
Then take one small step of obedience.
Pray for someone.
Invite someone into your home.
Share your testimony.
Encourage a younger believer.
Start discipling someone.
Don't wait until you feel fully ready.
Scripture
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
— James 1:22
Prayer
Jesus, awaken us from passive Christianity. Teach us to live as true disciples who carry Your presence into the world around us. Fill us with boldness, compassion, obedience, and love. Show us where You are moving and give us courage to say yes. Let our faith become alive through action as we make disciples and live for Your Kingdom. Amen.
If this post encouraged you, I'd love to invite you to:
- Purchase my book, Kingdom Living: books.by/meridith-curtis