Finding the Field of Faith: When Discipleship Becomes Daily Life

Have you ever felt like your faith was something you reserved only for special occasions? Maybe you felt like you were a 'game day Christian'—all for the Lord when the season was right, but somewhere else when life got complicated? If that sounds familiar, please know you are not alone. It’s one of the most human struggles we face on our journey to becoming more Christlike.

The power of testimony, and indeed the power of the Spirit, is that it meets us exactly where we are. Lately, I've been reflecting on a recent story about an NFL player, Cody Hollister, and his journey to finding a faith that wasn't seasonal. His experience was a powerful reminder that the deepest spiritual commitments are forged not in the bright lights of success, but in the dark pits of vulnerability, anxiety, and loss.

The Myth of 'Game Day' Faith

Cody opened up about calling himself a 'lukewarm Christian'—a faith that only showed up when the game was on. This is such a common pitfall for us, the returned missionaries, and for lifelong disciples. We tend to think that spiritual momentum is linear, or that once we pass the MTC phase, we’ve 'arrived.' But discipleship isn't a race to a finish line; it's a continuous, daily surrender. It's realizing that the Lord wants us to live with Him *every* day, not just when we feel motivated.

He found his pivot point when he was depressed and lacked an identity. The saving grace came not from a single event, but from a deep dive into the scriptures. He started reading the full Bible, and suddenly, he fell in love with God’s word. He realized that the Bible wasn't just a collection of rules; it was a love story—a record of God’s persistent character and plan for His children.

If we take anything from this story, let it be this: When we feel lost, anxious, or lacking identity, the most reliable resource isn't our own willpower; it is the Spirit, guided by the foundational truths found in the scriptures.

Cultivating the Daily Discipline

As we navigate the work, we often get so focused on the immediate goal—the transfer, the comps, the next missionary discussion—that we forget the day-to-day habits that sustain us. The principle Cody learned is how to sustain the faith journey when the hype dies down. It’s about cultivating a deep, personal relationship with the Book of Mormon and the Savior.

If you are feeling the spiritual slump right now, or if you are struggling to maintain consistency in your study, remember that the process of *getting* to the Spirit is often more important than the feeling of the Spirit itself. It's the habit of showing up, opening the scriptures, and asking the Lord to teach you.

A Tip for Sustaining the Work

A practical skill I want to leave you with today, especially as we focus on becoming better internet missionaries: Instead of simply reading a verse you like, try to use the Social Scripture Study layer within LivingBook. Don't just read the verse; read the commentary, see how others have highlighted it, and understand the *context* of the scripture. This deepens your comprehension and makes you a more articulate disciple when you talk to investigators.

This isn't about perfection; it's about persistence. It’s about moving from 'game day' faith to 'every day' faith.

“The Lord is near unto a broken heart, and saveth a contrite spirit.” – Psalm 34:18. When you feel broken, know that the Savior is drawing you closer.

Ready to Build Your Faith Muscle?

I encourage everyone to use this week to focus on consistency. If you're looking for ways to deepen your knowledge of the Atonement, check out the latest reading from an Iron Rod author available in LivingBook. Also, if you want to practice talking through difficult questions with the help of the Spirit, don't forget to connect with Davee! He specializes in the AI Investigator role and can walk you through tough questions that investigators might ask. It’s free, and it’s practice for the field.

Let's keep building this beautiful, daily discipline together. We are all disciples, anywhere and all the time.