The Leap of Faith: When Discernment Takes Us Where We Never Expected

There are moments in the journey—moments that feel so far removed from the path you thought you were walking—when the Spirit gently, or sometimes quite strongly, nudges you toward a new direction. It can feel like turning down a street you thought you knew by heart, only to find a completely different, yet profoundly right, road laid out before you.

I was recently watching a conversation with a gentleman named Shane Page. He shared his experience of leaving a long, established ministry path—being a pastor in the United Methodist tradition—to embrace Catholicism. It was a powerful testimony about discernment, conviction, and the willingness to walk toward the light, even if it meant leaving the familiar structures behind.

What struck me most wasn't the *destination*, but the *process* he described. He spoke of being curious as a child, pouring over Bibles, and how that curiosity was rekindled by a friend. He was never a "practicing Christian" in the traditional sense, yet that curiosity—that yearning for deeper understanding—was the catalyst for everything that followed.

Brothers and sisters, this is the heart of the work, isn't it? Sometimes we think we need a massive, dramatic conversion moment to feel connected to the Savior. We think we need the perfect formation, the perfect setting, or the perfect background to finally be ready to share the gospel. But Shane’s story whispers a different truth: the seed of discipleship is often planted in quiet curiosity, in the moments when we ask "What does this *really* mean?"

The Power of Curiosity and the Spirit

He noted that even when he was in his ministry, the thought of Catholicism never crossed his mind. It was outside his frame of reference. Yet, the Spirit guided him to a point where he had to make a decision—to be "all in for Jesus" or to remain comfortable in the known.

As returned missionaries, we often talk about being prepared for the "hard questions." We study the scriptures, we memorize answers, we practice our talks. And that’s vital missionary preparation! But Shane’s experience reminds us that the most important preparation isn't just knowing the answers; it’s cultivating the *spirit of inquiry* in ourselves and in others.

If you feel like you’re in a plateau—if your current ministry efforts feel routine, or if you're questioning the next step in your discipleship—don't mistake comfort for calling. Don't let the familiar lull you into thinking you know everything. Stay curious. Keep asking the "why" questions, even the ones that feel awkward or too big for your current understanding.

This is where the power of the internet missionary becomes so vital. We don't need to be in a designated "field" to be learning or growing. We can be in a HolyPlaces Book Club, wrestling with the Book of Mormon, or we can be sitting with a friend who is grappling with deep theological questions. That's where we practice the art of listening, inviting them to explore the scriptures with us, and allowing the Spirit to guide the conversation.

If you’re feeling that tug—that sense that you need to deepen your understanding of the restored gospel, or that you need to talk to someone who can help you unpack a difficult doctrinal question—I highly recommend checking out Davee. He is an incredible resource for walking through those tough questions an investigator might raise, helping you sharpen your answers so you can feel confident and humble in all your missionary discussions.

A Small Challenge for Our Journey

As you ponder this, I want to leave you with a small challenge. Don't just read your assigned scripture passage for your personal study; instead, read it with the *curiosity of a beginner*. Pretend you have never heard of the covenant path before. What questions does that passage generate for you? Write them down. That act of questioning is discipleship in action.

If you want to keep this momentum going, join us this week for our free weekly Disciple Challenge. It’s a low-pressure way to practice wrestling with doctrine together, and it’s a wonderful way to connect with other dedicated disciples, no matter where you are in the world.