HOME PAGE: SPIRITUAL STAGES

A Spiritual Metamorphosis

Spiritual life is like a butterfly’s metamorphosis. Distinct stages mark the changes in a person’s spiritual life. God is making something out of our lives that we get to be a part of  throughout the process. His desire and our hope is that one day we will fly in full freedom and joy.

Three Stages: Knowing, Loving, and Living

I liken the three stages of a butterfly metamorphosis with three stages of spiritual growth.

Post 1:  THE KNOWING: The First Stage of Spiritual Life

Post 2:  THE LOVING: The Second Stage of Spiritual Life

Post 3:  THE LIVING: The Third Stage of Spiritual Life

THE LIVING: The Third Stage of Spiritual Life

SPIRITUAL LIVING

1. THE KNOWING

TIER 1 GROWTH IS FOUNDATIONAL  ↓↑

Knowing is the caterpillar stage. This is where you start your spiritual life and is foundational for the rest of your life. Knowing is about knowing Christ, believing in Christ as your Lord and Savior, developing your spiritual life with prayer, bible study, interaction with other Christian believers, and becoming grounded in your faith. You are knowing in your faith and you are being known by God.

The key words for Stage 1 are belief and knowledge.   KNOWING review Link

2. THE LOVING

TIER 2 GROWTH IS TRANSFORMATIONAL  ( )

Loving is the cocoon stage. Loving is when we start growing beyond what we know and believe. This is a silent area of seeking God to know Him, of praying prayers that worship God. This is when one begins to listen for the Shepherd’s voice. Loving is when healing and change influences transformation. You love God for Who He Is, not for what you know about God but because you literally love Him, His Presence, and you are getting to intimately know Him. You are being loved by God in ways you feel and you are loving God in the heart. To know God is to love God. You are letting God help Himself to your life as He shows you what needs cleansing and healing. This is both painful and freeing.

The key words in Stage 2 are trust and surrender.   LOVING review link

3. THE LIVING

TIER 3 GROWTH IS ALIVE, FLUID  ∞

Living is the butterfly stage. Knowing then loving, now we come to living. Living is a wellspring of aliveness that originates in the Spirit of the living God. It can’t be faked, though many fakers imitate the routine.

You will know those living in intimate relationship with Father, Son, and Spirit by their humble love, spiritual wisdom, and human reactions. They act differently because they are intimately tied to the source.

Their lives are spiritually centered. God is on the throne; He comes first. So what does it look like? The believer centered in their faith is kind, loving, helpful and generous.

The key words in Stage 3 are freedom and grace.

Knowing and loving provide the foundation for living that is then nurtured and continually growing. When Christ came into their life at their request, a holy transaction took place.

They became new, forgiven, released from bondage. Peace became their experience. One can live the spiritual life naturally when they know what it is in their understanding and in their experience.

Because God is love, they quite naturally take on love in their soul and being. This love lives in and out.

YOU CAN FLY FREE

The living is a natural by-product that just happens as a result of what God has put into their lives. A heart, mind, and soul intimately living under God’s divine influence is more easily led by the Spirit rather than the flesh.

This also means, when troubles come or major depressive hurts, losses, and disappointments are experienced, they recognize when their spiritual relationship is suffering. Because God is their best friend they won’t want to stay in misery, sad, bitter, or resentful.

They miss the closeness of intimate relationship with their Father God and want to restore that relationship even if it takes a few months to get over whatever happened. God helps us.

Lastly, how do you get there?

  • You seek God with your heart, mind, and soul.
  • You don’t hold anything back.
  • You spend time alone with God.
  • You let God be on the throne of your life.
  • You listen to His quiet voice (you will discern it in time).
  • And you trust God for the journey.

HOME PAGE: SPIRITUAL STAGES

Let me know how it’s going. I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment here or email me at nlbrumbaugh@gmail.com. God bless you, Norma