The Stage of Success

There is nothing more interesting and exciting than growing in God’s garden, in God’s family, and watching how others develop. It is such a joy to realize that you are a member of the body of Christ, that you belong to the royal priesthood, that you are a branch on God’s vine and a branch of the olive tree, and that you are God’s child. Whatever stage of development you may be in and wherever you may have become stuck in your growth, you are one who belongs to God and is the object of His special care and attention. If only we could see the tenderness with which God works for us, the love with which He attends to every detail of our lives, and the patience He shows toward us, His beloved children, our journey would be much easier and more fascinating. But we have been given the eyes of faith to comprehend all this without seeing God, while trusting Him as little children trust their parents.

To enter the Kingdom of Heaven, we must become like children and, like a little child, give our lives to God and accept with childlike trust what He gives us. But infancy is necessary in order to enter the Kingdom, and God does not plan for a person to remain an infant. The Lord nurtures everyone who enters His garden and is planted in His flower bed.

At a certain point in my development, I move to the next stage of faith, where all my brothers and sisters are waiting for me, actively engaged in God’s work, helping one another, and caring for new members of God’s family. I enter a new and fascinating world of fellowship.

3. The Stage of Success.

All the knowledge I have accumulated finds practical application in every area of church life. Whereas I once needed teachers, mentors, spiritual leaders, and authorities, I now become such a person myself. Those who have only recently come out of the world greatly need my counsel, explanations of difficult passages of Scripture, prayerful support, and guidance. I already know what talents God has given me and what success accompanies me in every work for God that I undertake. My experience of life in Christ is so unique and so different from the experiences of others that I gladly share it with fellow believers, inspiring those around me to work for God.

I see how my words reach many hearts and convince those around me that life with God is better. Observing my success, my older brothers decide to entrust me with leading a small group or even place an entire congregation under my care, ordaining me to this ministry. And I, understanding my full responsibility before God and people, accept any new duties and do what has been entrusted to me.

The enemy of the soul constantly tries to trip me so that I will fall and disappoint my brothers and sisters, but in their love they support me and help me rise and continue onward.

I comprehend the science of Salvation and can convince people that life with God is better, more beautiful, and more interesting. Everything I touch and undertake becomes blessed and successful, and I understand that every undertaking and work of God is destined for success. This truth inspires me to take on everything and to see the abundant blessings that are poured out upon me.

And when a trial comes or the struggle intensifies, I run to the One Who is always near and never grows weary.

My entire church reaches this level of maturity, and together, as one united body, we carry out God’s mission in this world and confidently grow from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. As we behold Christ by faith, we are transformed into the same image and likeness. What a joy it is to realize this!

Our evangelistic campaigns have attained theological perfection, and every truth about the plan of Salvation is revealed before the world in all its fullness and beauty. It cannot be disputed, but it can be accepted and mixed with faith—or rejected as one walks away into darkness.

At this stage of faith, I see many of my brothers and sisters become disappointed and discouraged, lose their enthusiasm, burn out emotionally, and experience something I do not understand. Some of them leave our ranks forever, leaving us with many questions and much bewilderment. Arguments, gossip, and disagreements become spiritual bread for many of us, which some share with others with special enthusiasm. God’s work grows and moves forward, while believers become strange and unpredictable. It is not always easy to understand what is happening, but newly baptized church members bring fresh joy and compel me to work tirelessly. And I grow. It seems that everything will always remain this way and that our whole family will continue living together in the garden of God’s love. But this is only the third stage, and at a time known to Him, God leads me to a dark wall and calls me to move forward.

And strange things begin to happen in my life. I realize that I am tired, emotionally empty, burned out, and losing strength. I go to the Source and drink, but I am not satisfied. My heart is surfeited and no longer tastes the flavor of life. I understand that I must move forward, but where? Before me are darkness, the unknown, and a black fire that burns but brings no joy. I look back and could return to the place where I grew so wonderfully, but the mysterious power of God draws me into the darkness, into a dark forest that seems as though it will never end. And there is no one beside me who can explain what is happening; I must walk this path in complete solitude.

I begin to have many questions for God. Sometimes I even shake my fists toward Heaven, crying out to the One Who remains silent. I berate myself and uncover very unpleasant things in my life.

I was told about love and that it truly exists. I have even seen those who say that they love, yet I see nothing but darkness in my own life and do not know what to do. Although outwardly I am still just as active and cheerful, and all my projects for God continue moving forward and succeeding, inwardly very little brings me joy anymore. Yet outwardly I continue smiling and giving others inspiration and blessings. I read about Job and understand that a battle is being waged over my life and that God allows trials in it. I read the sorrowful psalms and find myself in them. Darkness has covered me. What should I do? Where should I go? Ahead lie gloom and the unknown. And it seems that God does not hear me. Perhaps I should return to the world? But there is death there. Perhaps I am in the wrong church? I search for something else. Although they do not live according to the Bible there, at least there is some variety. But even this does not solve my problem.

And I stand before this wall, wondering what I should do next. Who could help me? No one taught me about this or warned me.

Yet I want to grow. And somewhere deep in my soul, I understand that God is near, that He has not abandoned me, and that He has prepared something better and more interesting for me. I rely on Him by faith alone, grit my teeth, and take a step of faith. How dark this dark night of the soul is! How painful it is to pass through it! How deeply I long for all of this to end.

Various circumstances in life can bring my soul close to this condition, and God uses them and Himself leads me into this state. But I will learn this later, after I have traveled this path. How lonely it is here!

And I move to the next stage of faith and become immersed in myself, in my thoughts and feelings, while remaining cheerful and active for those around me. What a performance! How ashamed I am! But I continue walking by faith.

1. Please read Jeremiah 6:16; Genesis 39:3; 1 Peter 2:9–10; 2 Corinthians 1:21–22; 2 Chronicles 20:20; Joshua 1:7–8; Proverbs 2:3–11; Job 3:23–26; Ecclesiastes 3:1, 5, 12–14; Revelation 2:2–5; and 2 Corinthians 6:6–10 in light of our chapter.

2. What did you understand? What Bible verses came to your mind?

3. Is the third stage really only the midpoint of the journey of spiritual growth? What will come next?

4. Why does God plan a time of personal sorrow for each of His sons and daughters?

5. Why is the dark night of the soul necessary?

6. Are there Christians who develop through different stages of faith?

7. Why does the Lord grant success in spiritual growth and ministry, only to lead a person down into darkness afterward?

8. How can I distinguish between the dark night of the soul that comes from the Lord and sorrow caused by my sins?