Alan Fadling's Blog

From Shallow to Deep: What It Really Means to Grow in Christ

Blog by Alan Fadling

I love being near the ocean. I love standing on its shoreline and feeling how vast, how deep, how unfathomable it is. There’s something about depth that calls to us. The Psalms speak of the depth of God calling out to our own depths (Psalm 42:7). We don’t just feel longing for knowledge about God. We yearn for something richer, something truer, something that transforms us.

 

But many of us have felt the ache of a shallow faith, where we know a lot about God but don’t always feel deeply rooted in God. What does it really mean to go deeper? And how do we cultivate a faith that is more than just wide?

 

There is a great hunger for a deeper experience of God among those I train and coach. It is accompanied by a great dissatisfaction with what many have experienced in their communities of faith. I’m not trying to blame churches or pastors. I am a pastor and have been for over forty years. I believe God is working among us to lead us into a life of deeper rootedness in him.

 

Decades ago, J. I. Packer, a respected theologian, author, and pastor, quotes a native American Christian leader in his book A Quest for Godliness who observed “North American Protestantism…to be 3,000 miles wide and half an inch deep.”*

 

That’s a painful assessment, isn’t it? I’m confident that no one reading these words dreams of living their life half an inch deep. Who wants that? But it’s so easy in our hurry to find ourselves skimming the surface of our life and work with God.

 

Maybe you’ve said  or heard someone else say something like this: “I want to go deeper in my walk with God.” It’s a good sentiment. It’s a beautiful intention. It resonates with my own desires. But what do we mean when we say this? What do we think it will look like to “go deeper”?

 

I wrote about this in An Unhurried Life and was reminded of it when I had the opportunity at the beginning of this year to narrate the revised audiobook. (It released in March and is now available anywhere you prefer to purchase audiobooks. I hope you’ll get yourself a copy. I’d love to be a voice of encouragement in that way.)

 

In narrating chapter 9, titled “Maturity,” the following passage I had written came alive for me in a fresh way:

I hear a lot of talk about “deep” when it comes to growing in Christ. My sense of what the average evangelical Christian means by deep is theologically, biblically, doctrinally rich and profound, and this is probably measured mostly in terms of cognitive content. But there are other ways to measure depth. There is soul depth, referring to the dynamics in my life with God and with other people. There is spiritual depth, meaning the level of my personal receptivity to and engagement with God in the moment-to-moment living of life. There is heart depth: I am more emotionally responsive to God and others as well as more willing to show my love for God by obeying him. Are we open to God’s bringing such depth to every facet of our lives? Will we enter into deep soul work, deep interaction with God, deep sharing of our lives together and deep engagement with the non-followers in our lives? Will we seek life deep and not settle for just intellect deep?†

 

I wonder how that passage strikes you? How have you heard the issue of “depth” described by the voices of influence in your own experience?

 

When we equate spiritual maturity with breadth of knowledge, we confuse being informed with being transformed. I’ve heard people say something like this about a particular Christian leader: “He’s not really very loving or kind, but he sure does know the Bible.” Such comments suggest that biblical knowledge is more important than love. But is it really? Is that the way of Jesus? Wasn’t that an essential element of the conflict Jesus had with some of the Jewish leaders of his day?

 

As we reflect on the call to go deep in our relationship with God, it’s important to remember that the richness of spiritual life is not measured by how much we know but by how much we are transformed—by how much we love. Depth is not a matter of mere theological knowledge. It’s about the posture of our hearts, the openness of our souls, and the responsiveness of our lives to God’s presence with us. It’s an invitation to move beyond surface-level engagement, to cultivate a life with God that is wide and deep, where knowledge leads to transformation and where every facet of our being is touched by his love.

 

For Reflection:

How have you experienced a hunger for deeper connection with God, and in what ways have you noticed it influencing your life?
In what areas of your life are you tempted to prioritize knowledge over transformation? How might you invite God to deepen your soul, spirit, and heart in those areas?

 

* J. I. Packer. The Quest for Godliness: The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1990, p. 22.

† Alan Fadling. An Unhurried Life, rev. ed. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, p. 160.

UL #358: Leading from the Inside Out

 

What if your leadership wasn’t driven by hurry, but rooted in soul-deep transformation? In this episode, Alan and Gem Fadling explore how spiritual formation and leadership are meant to stay connected—and why separating them leads to exhaustion and burnout.

We’ll talk about:

Why leadership development often gets siloed from spiritual formation

How unprocessed inner life shows up in hurried, anxious leadership

Practices that help leaders shift from pressure and performance to peace and purpose

Why leading from depth, rest, and soul-rooted presence makes your influence more life-giving

If you’ve ever felt stretched thin by the relentless demands of leadership, or wondered if there’s a slower, more grounded way to lead, this conversation will give you hope and practical steps forward.

This episode also introduces PACE, a 21-month training experience for leaders who want to bring more soul into their work and more grace into their influence.

👉 Subscribe for more conversations on unhurried leadership, spiritual formation, and living at the pace of Jesus.

#Leadership #Hurry #SpiritualFormation #UnhurriedLeadership #PACE #ChristianLeadership

 

 

The Secret to Soulful Creativity: Paying Attention to God’s Work in You

Blog by Gem Fadling

Some seasons of life can leave us wondering if we have anything left to give. We pour ourselves out at work, at home, in ministry—and sometimes we forget to pause, rest, and refill. If you’re longing for a life that feels more soulful and sustainable, I am with you. Let’s explore how to live from the deep well God has placed within us.

 

People will often comment to me how impressed they are that Alan and I produce so much content. From emails to blog posts to podcasts to YouTube videos to books—something is always rolling out.

 

Recently, in the same context, someone asked me if I love writing. I briefly thought about my response and found myself saying, “No, I don't love writing in and of itself. What I love is sharing, teaching, and encouraging.”

 

Writing is simply a meaningful way to express what I desire to share with others. Here at Unhurried Living we are happy to create content so that people might grow in wisdom, presence, love, and servant leadership.

 

I've shared before how I’m often concerned that I will one day run out of things to say. Left to myself, I think that would be true. But because I’m doing my very best to stay engaged with what God is up to in me and through me, there is always fresh bread coming out of the oven of my life.

 

The good news is that the same is happening for you. So, how are you paying attention? How are you continuing to draw from the deep well of wisdom that God places before you? And how do you find yourself sharing that goodness with others?

 

It’s easy to fall asleep at the wheel, careening through a busy life without pausing to reflect or pivoting to receptive mode.

 

Here is an intentional way to live an integrated life:

God pours in.
I receive.
I share.

 

This might look different for each of us because we are all uniquely and wonderfully gifted. How you express God’s goodness will look different from how I express it. That's the beauty of the body of Christ.

 

There are many and various expressions of love and wisdom.

 

You might express your gifts by listening deeply to others. You can offer your full presence in a world where too often people rush and only half listen. Your patient attention can bring healing to the weary.

 

You might find yourself creating beauty that reflects God’s heart, whether through painting, music, photography, writing, or even something as simple as cooking a meal or tending a garden. Beauty more easily stirs the soul and gently points people to the goodness of God.

 

You might express your journey by mentoring or guiding others, generously sharing the wisdom and lessons you have learned along the way. Your lived experience can be a profound encouragement to those in your community.

 

If you serve in leadership, you may also express your gifts by cultivating a culture of grace and hospitality, creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and safe to learn and grow.

 

You might prioritize soul care within your team, encouraging rhythms of rest, reflection, and prayer so that work flows from a place of wholeness rather than exhaustion. This is something we love to do with teams, so connect with us if you want to learn more.

 

And especially in challenging seasons, you can lead with a non-anxious presence as you remain rooted in God’s peace and help to calm those around you.

 

However you share your gifts, the most important thing is to remain connected to God’s deep well of grace. Drawing from that well, your own soul stays replenished. Remember:

God pours in.
I receive.
I share.

 

For Reflection: 

What is one way God has recently poured into you that you feel invited to share with others?
Which of your gifts or passions feels the most natural and joyful as a way of expressing God’s goodness?
How might you intentionally create space in your life to listen, receive, and share more freely?

 

P.S. The focus of this article has been our various ways of sharing goodness. But let’s pause for a moment and remind ourselves: It’s best to pour from a full cup. Here are some links to a few of my recent YouTube videos. Make your way to one or more of them and be inspired.

 

Feeling Trapped by Time?

Are You Overwhelmed or Exhausted?

How to Fill Your Time Intentionally

How to Begin a Rule of Life

 

 

UL #357: Growing Faith through Humble Questions (A. J. Swoboda)

 

In a world where certainty, hot takes, and strong opinions dominate, what if curiosity and humility were actually the more faithful way of following Jesus?

In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan talks with pastor, theologian, and professor A. J. Swoboda about his new book, A Teachable Spirit. Together, they explore what it means to cultivate intellectual humility as a spiritual discipline and to rediscover the joy of learning—even from unexpected places and people.

You’ll learn:

Why being teachable is central to spiritual formation.

How to learn from unlikely voices—children, strangers, enemies, and even the dead.

Practices for slowing down and resisting the culture of distraction and quick answers.

How curiosity creates deeper wisdom, peace, and more gracious leadership.

Guest Bio:
A. J. Swoboda, PhD, is a pastor, theologian, and professor at Bushnell University in Eugene, Oregon, where he teaches Bible, theology, and Christian history. He is the author of several books, including Subversive Sabbath and After Doubt. He also co-hosts the “Slow Theology” podcast and is a sought-after voice on spiritual formation, rest, and resilience in today’s culture.

 

Today Is Where the Kingdom Is

Blog by Alan Fadling

We all know what it feels like to be pulled out of the present—stretched thin by worries about tomorrow or tangled in regrets from yesterday. In such moments, the familiar words of Jesus in Matthew 6 can sound out of touch. But what if his call to “seek first the kingdom” isn’t some lofty religious ideal but a grounded, daily practice that offers us peace right where we are?

 

Let’s revisit those words of Jesus in context:

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:33-34)

 

As I recently reflected on this counsel from Jesus, I was struck by what he says about today and what he says about tomorrow.

 

Today, there is something I can give my primary attention to: God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness. This can feel like religious language detached from everyday realities, but it is far from that.

 

In The Divine Conspiracy, Dallas Willard writes, “God’s own ‘kingdom,’ or ‘rule,’ is the range of his effective will, where what he wants done is done. The person of God himself and the action of his will are the organizing principles of his kingdom, but everything that obeys those principles, whether by nature or by choice, is within his kingdom.”*

 

We seek his kingdom first when we recognize that what God wants done is what matters most, and that what God wishes to do in and through me is what matters most for me. Anxiety tempts me to try time travel—to the past in regret or guilt, or to the future in nervous anticipation. But right now, in the present moment, I can offer myself to God’s leading, guiding, and empowering me to do the good things that lie immediately before me.

 

This brings us to the idea of seeking first God’s righteousness. Again, this can be misunderstood as trying to be extra religious somehow, but it is simply a way of saying that we seek to be aligned with what God says is good, beautiful, and true. There are many voices proclaiming what is or isn’t good. But only God is truly good, and seeking his guidance in these matters is what leads to peace over anxiety.

 

I remember a season of years in which I was addressing the anger and the anxiety in my life. After we’d been working together for a while, my counselor said, “It looks like your anger has begun to be unwound from the inside. It doesn’t seem as quick to flare as it used to be.” He was right. I had found healing from some of the deep wounds that would erupt in anger when I felt belittled or threatened.

 

He also said, “There will come a day when anxiety will no longer be a major issue for you either.” At that time I hadn’t made as much progress in my struggle with anxiety as I’d made with my anger. But his words were prophetic. He was right. I have been learning from Jesus how to live more rooted in peace rather than stuck in anxiety.

 

I believe that same freedom is available to you. You don’t have to be trapped in a cycle of worry about tomorrow. The grace of Christ is enough for today, and it will be enough for tomorrow when tomorrow comes.

 

So today, as an act of trust, what is one small way you can practice seeking first God’s kingdom of grace and peace?

 

Perhaps it’s pausing in a moment of stress to breathe and remember that God is with you.

 

Maybe it’s choosing to be present in a conversation rather than being lost in anxious thoughts about the future.

 

Or it could be surrendering a specific worry to God in prayer and asking for the grace to rest in his care. In prayer, we can practice the presence of God instead of practicing the presence of our anxiety through worry.

 

Each of these is a step toward a non-anxious life—one shaped not by fear but by the peace of Christ himself.

 

In A Non-Anxious Life I included a benediction I wrote that is an expanded paraphrase of the words Paul uses to start most of his letters: “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Let me close this article with that benediction:

 

May God’s empowering presence, his measureless generosity, and his great goodness be with you, seeking you before ever you seek him. And may grace bear the fruit of deep well-being, freedom from anxious care, and a soul at rest in the Presence of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

 

For Reflection:

What does “seeking first the kingdom” look like in the ordinary rhythms of your day?
Where do you most often feel pulled into tomorrow’s worries—and how might you return to today?
What might change if you trusted that God is already present in your tomorrow, just as he is today?

 

*Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy (HarperSanFrancisco, 1998), p. 32.

 

 

 

UL #356: How to Move Beyond Shame and Silence—Practical Wisdom from Eryn Eddy Adkins

 

How do you move beyond shame and silence to discover your true worth? In this inspiring episode, Gem Fadling sits down with Eryn Eddy Adkins—founder of So Worth Loving and co-host of the God Hears Her podcast—to talk about healing, faith, and what it really means to find belonging in a safe, loving community.

If you’ve ever struggled with feelings of shame, not-enoughness, or self-doubt, you are not alone. Eryn shares her journey from pain to purpose, and how telling your true story (not just the polished version) can be a bridge to deeper healing and connection with others.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

How to move beyond shame and find your voice
The power of honest storytelling in the Christian life
Why community is essential for healing deep wounds
Practical steps for building safe spaces and healthy relationships
Encouragement for Christian women wrestling with self-worth and faith
Real-life lessons from Eryn’s work at So Worth Loving and the God Hears Her podcast

About Eryn Eddy Adkins:
Eryn Eddy Adkins is the founder and CEO of So Worth Loving, a lifestyle brand and online community helping thousands move from pain and shame to self-worth and belovedness. Her work has been featured in CNN, Oprah, and more. She is the author of So Worth Loving and the longtime co-host of the God Hears Her podcast.

More resources:
→ Learn about So Worth Loving: https://soworthloving.com
→ Listen to God Hears Her: [https://godhearsher.org/podcast/]
→ Connect with Eryn on Instagram: [@eryneddy]

For more encouragement and resources, visit: https://unhurriedliving.com

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, share, and leave a comment below. What part of Eryn’s story spoke to you most?

 

 

 

What a Box of Old Photos Taught Me About Living More Freely

Blog by Gem Fadling

Alan and I have been making our way through our garage slowly but surely. We are on a mission to prune and purge. Because my parents died when I was relatively young (I was 26 and 31, respectively), I ended up with a lot of items that have memories and sentimental value attached. Many of these items have been stored in our garage or attic for thirty years. That’s a long time to hold on to things.

 

I imagine it is common for us to hold on to items that connect us to loved ones who have passed. If I get rid of that, I thought, I will lose my connection. For example, I still have my dad’s old Stetson hat and cowboy boots, as well as his military uniforms from World War II. I only had him on this planet for twenty-six years of my life. How could I possibly let go?

 

It is very difficult for me to make all these decisions as an only child. Of course, Alan is here to support me, but it does feel like a heavy load.

 

But now that I’m in my sixties, it really is time to start purging. I can’t carry all this stuff around forever. It would be unkind to leave all these decisions for my sons to deal with in the distant future. So over the last couple of years we have scheduled appointments with ourselves to stand in the garage for fifteen minutes and see if we can make headway. Fifteen minutes usually turns into two hours, and that’s OK.

 

I have successfully purged multiple sentimental items. What is left are three big trunks of photo albums containing multiple sacks of photos and memorabilia. Photos are the most difficult to throw out because they are visual representations of a person’s life—snapshots in time.

 

The last time we went through a photo box I decided to be as ruthless as possible. I was going to throw away 80 to 90 percent of what I looked at and only keep the top 10 to 20 percent of the images that were representative of the time or the person.

 

Other people may have different views on this, but I really wanted to downsize my memorabilia. I did my best to follow Marie Kondo’s advice when going through the photos. I looked at each one as quickly as possible and asked myself if it sparked joy. Some were obvious keepers.

 

But with others—such as hundreds of photos from one family reunion with all the cousins and aunts and uncles—there was no way to keep them all. So I sorted through and kept only a handful of representative photos of each person or family group.

 

As I stood there in the garage holding an old black-and-white photo, I was prompted to think, Someday I’m going to be a photo in someone else’s hand, and they are going to decide whether to keep it or toss it. It’s quite a humbling thought—and a little depressing.

 

After that first thought floated through my mind, another followed right on its tail: So, Gem, what are you so worked up about? It’s probably OK to stress less about pretty much everything.

 

I had a momentary flash of what felt like a pure letting go—a kind of detachment I hadn’t felt before. It felt really good. Unencumbered. Free.

 

It only lasted a minute, and I was reminded yet again that my life here is fleeting. This has become an important theme for me in this season because I’m trying to let go of the unhealthy version of drive and ambition (ego) in my life. I want to live in-process and enjoy the moments and the people.

 

Once in a while it’s good to remember the main theme of Ecclesiastes: “Meaningless, meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” Or as my spiritual director likes to call it, “trying to hug a cloud.”

 

In whatever season of life you find yourself, it’s OK to pause and remember that life is short. An unhurried posture helps us remember this. When we are unrushed, we have a chance to remember that God has given us this great gift of a life.

 

I no longer want to waste any time in fretting, worry, anxiety, pushing, driving, or distraction.

 

I would rather love every moment that I have. Because yes, someday I will be a photo in the hands of a distant relative, and they will be deciding whether to keep it or just give thanks for the memory and throw it away. And I am learning to become OK with that.

 

For Reflection: 

How good are you at letting go?
What is one area of your life that could use a little purging? When might you take a next step?
How are you trying to “hug a cloud” these days and how does that make you feel?

 

UL #355: Jesus Grows People, Not Programs

 

Many leaders wrestle with the question: If I slow down, will I still get anything done? In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan explores Jesus’ words in John 15 alongside the wisdom of farmer-poet Wendell Berry to reimagine productivity, not as frantic busyness, but as abiding fruitfulness.

Discover a vision of work that nourishes rather than depletes, both for you and for those you serve.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why busyness can actually disconnect us from the very Source of true fruitfulness.

How Wendell Berry’s vision of sustainable farming offers a powerful model for ministry and leadership.

Why lasting kingdom productivity always begins in abiding and focuses on people over programs.

Resources

Scripture: John 15
Bringing It to the Table by Wendell Berry

 

 

 

 

Living Today Without Borrowing Tomorrow's Trouble

Blog by Alan Fadling

Anxiety in our cultural context has not diminished since the publication of my latest book, A Non-Anxious Life, in February 2024. The hunger and thirst I hear from those who’ve read and responded to the book continue to be deep and heartfelt. I’ve spoken to Christian leaders who struggle to imagine what it would actually look like to live in the non-anxious way of Jesus. I’d like to share what I’ve continued to learn in my ongoing journey with anxiety, especially learning not to worry about tomorrow.

 

I’ve shared how anxiety has been a lifelong struggle for me. As I was writing the book, I realized just how often anxiety had driven me and animated a lot of my work. But living in constant worry about tomorrow is not the same as preparing well for tomorrow. Busyness wound up by anxiety is not the same as productivity rooted in peace.

 

Jesus’ words about anxiety in Matthew 6 continue to help me. There he reminds us that we needn’t worry about our lives, about our needs being met, or about our uncertain future. He’s not telling us to ignore the realities in front of us, but rather to trust a deeper reality that undergirds us. But maybe like me you’ve worried plenty about these things.

 

I don’t hear Jesus laying down the law about my anxiety. I hear him reminding me what life in the kingdom of his Father in heaven is like. It is a life in which everything we most deeply and truly need is provided. It is a life that is rich because it is lived in communion with the One who is life. And because God is already present in our tomorrows, we needn’t try to get there ahead of him through our worrying.

 

Worrying about tomorrow has been an especially challenging habit to break. What often happens is that an unpleasant surprise startles me and my anxiety kicks in on autopilot. Almost without thinking, I begin to envision dire futures that could result. Anxiety offers itself as a consultant in this anxious attempt at time travel.

 

But the Prince of Peace suggests that in worrying about tomorrow we never gain as much as we think we do. Planning for tomorrow—that can be a very fruitful activity. Trying to imagine countless dreadful scenarios about tomorrow usually hasn’t been as productive for me. We think that worrying prepares us for the future, but in reality it drains us of the energy to actually live today. I can’t live tomorrow today, no matter how much anxiety urges me to try.

 

When Jesus tells us not to worry, he is also saying that peace about my life, about my needs, and about my future is possible. Reminding myself that peace is possible is important. I’ve spent too much time somewhere in the shadows of my imagination believing that peace was simply not possible—at least not for me. But no matter how deeply ingrained my habits of anxiety are in my body, my thoughts, my emotions, even my instincts, I can become practiced in the ways of peace when I place myself as a student at the feet of the Prince of Peace.

 

Since the beginning of the year, I’ve been reading the Gospel of John on a monthly cycle. It strikes me that there were plenty of moments in Jesus’ experience that would have profoundly tempted me to worry.

 

For example, in chapter 2, his mother Mary comes to him with a problem: There’s no wine left at the wedding. I never like being put on the spot to solve a problem. It causes me to feel anxious. But rather than becoming overwhelmed, Jesus responds and acts in harmony with the abundance and power of his Father in heaven.

 

Later in that same chapter, Jesus is provoked by how the temple had been turned into a marketplace, and often a dishonest one at that. He responds by driving the sellers out of the temple courts, which triggers a strong reaction against him. I hate conflict, and anxiety has a way of keeping me from doing anything that could cause it. But Jesus is completely free in the peace of God to let injustice move him to action.

 

In the Gospels, I never see Jesus anxiously rushing to solve a problem. He never worries about how tomorrow’s pressures will unfold. Instead, he trusts his Father, and that trust allows him to be fully present in each moment. He faces real danger, real disappointment, real opposition, real conflict, and yet navigates it all with grace and peace. The more I read the Gospels, the more inspired I am that he can teach me how to do the same in my own life.

 

When I hear Jesus called the Prince of Peace, I realize that he really is the master of peace. Peace is not something theoretical for him. It is something he embodies from his Father, who is the God of peace, and from the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of peace. We might even say that just as God is love, God is also peace. And if Jesus lived free from the anxiety of tomorrow, then with his help I can learn to do so as well.

 

For Reflection:

What are some of the circumstances or situations that have most recently tempted you to fill your moments with worrying? 
Where do you feel pulled into tomorrow’s uncertainties instead of today’s possibilities? 
How much has your worrying actually helped you? In your experience, has it borne good fruit or bad fruit?

 

UL #354: Why You're Jumping to Conclusions (Dr. Erin Devers)

 

Ever catch yourself jumping to conclusions… and being totally wrong? Or maybe you find it hard to admit when you're mistaken—especially when it's personal. That’s not just stubbornness, it’s cognitive bias, and it’s wired into all of us. But there’s good news: we can grow beyond it.

In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Gem Fadling talks with Dr. Erin Devers, Christian social psychologist and author of The Unbiased Self. Together, they explore how understanding the way our minds work can lead us into deeper formation and freer relationships. You’ll hear how fast vs. slow thinking, identity in Christ, gratitude, and community all play vital roles in transforming the way we see ourselves, others, and God.

Whether you’re tired of stuck thinking or want to love more clearly, this practical and hope-filled conversation is for you.