Great article by Gordon MacDonald over at Leadership Journal, titled Going Deep. Some great thoughts on spiritual depth and how it's created. Spending time with Jesus and a spiritual mentor is a great combination. It takes time, but it's worth it. There are no short cuts in life.
Tonight I spent time with Jon over coffee (he drank chai), talking about marriage, life and calling. He had a long list of great questions and we talked honestly about our failings, grace and God's design. Wednesday mornings I meet with two young dads. We eat breakfast and talk about what it means to be a follower of Jesus, a father of boys and husbands who is a servant leaders. Thursday Sharon and I will meet with a couple we were assigned to us through Marriage Mentors. We hope they can see Christ and the hope of the gospel as we share honestly about our marriage and what we are learning about grace.
Spiritual depth and mentoring takes time. But the results are well worth the work! I want to help people fall more in love with Jesus and to care about the things He cares about. To be His disciple. People who organize their lives around Jesus!
Recently I have been drawn to the word deep as a descriptor when I speak of mature Christians. My earliest appreciation for the term came when I read a comment by Richard Foster: "The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people."
What does it mean to be a deep Christ-follower today when unlimited options, noisy distractions, and a million versions of truth swamp the soul? How is it possible to be a deep person while being swept up in a 50-60 hour work week (if you're working), community and school events, shopping, networking, laundering, family-building … oh, and staying on top of things at church too? Is deep even thinkable for anyone living outside of a monastery? I'm just asking.
Of course we can't even attempt to answer these questions until we explore what deep means. Here's my working definition: Deep people are those whose lives are organized around Jesus, his character, his call to a serving life, and his death on the cross for their sins. The abilities (or giftedness) of deep people may be quite diverse, but each has the power to influence others to follow Jesus, grow in Christ-likeness, and live a life of faithful service. They love the world, mix well with people, but are wary of spiritual entrapments. They are known for their wisdom, their compassion for others, and their perseverance in hard times.
How important is depth? Now, consider this statement: A church's greatest treasure is its deep people. I know recent church emphasis has valued seekers, young people, and people that reflect diversity—all important elements of a healthy church. But absent a core of deep people, a church is in trouble. Deep people do not just happen; they are cultivated. Let's take this thought one step further. Deep people are a treasure greater than a church's preacher; greater than its hottest program; even greater than its worship band.
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