This blog is based on notes from our podcast, Tuesday Talks, which goes live every Tuesday at 2 PM on our YouTube page and website. You can also find the devotional that accompanies the blog right here:

This message is what started the whole Unstuck series in the first place. I've always loved spending time with Jesus—reading His Word, praying, just being with Him. But this year, I hit a bit of a wall. Devotions started to feel harder. I was doing them out of duty, or because I knew they were important. Because of that, I was fighting the devil's lies of condemnation—that I was a terrible Christian and pastor. So, of course, my natural instinct was to just try harder—do better, do more. I thought I wasn't being disciplined enough, so I tried to discipline myself more. But eventually, I got real with Jesus. I told Him I felt like I was just going through the motions, and honestly, I was a little bored. I felt guilty saying that out loud, but it was the truth, and He already knew it. I never want to spend time with Jesus out of religious duty or obligation; I love Him too much for that. I knew something needed to change—and I sensed Jesus had something else for me too.

For a few weeks, I kept talking to God about it. Then, I heard His gentle whisper:

I was floored. It took my breath away. He went on, "You’ve forgotten that I just want you to enjoy being with Me. Your time with Me—your devotions—should be something that brings you peace, comfort and even joy! I absolutely love being with you... Let’s get back to that place where seeking Me feels like a pleasure, not a chore. Find what delights your heart in Me, and let’s just delight in each other."

That one moment with God completely changed my perspective. Now, I’m asking the Lord to help me get Unstuck from just trying to be disciplined and to embrace a heart that delights in Him.

Let’s talk about something better than discipline—delight. Sometimes, you’ve got to get unstuck from discipline and get back to delighting. I know that’s where I am right now.

Let’s start with a few verses:

• Psalm 16:11: “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence, there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

• Nehemiah 8:10: “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

• Psalm 37:4: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

For every upgrade God has for us in our identity, calling, purpose, and destiny, there’s a relational process with Him that prepares us to thrive at the next level.

But we often get stuck because we see our challenges as enemy opposition, when in reality, it’s our own mindset about life and our journey with God that holds us back. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people say, “Well, you know—God’s really working on me. I’ve been going through a lot of hard stuff, but He’s working on me.” And I often think, "Wow, they really aren’t enjoying the process." Instead of seeing it as an incredible journey of transformation, they treat it like a hard and difficult chore.

2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “We can all draw close to him with the veil removed from our faces. And with no veil, we all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus. We are being transfigured into his very image as we move from one brighter level of glory to another.” 

All change, all transformation, and growth in Christ is meant to be glorious. We are supposed to be moving from glory to glory, becoming more like Him.

The main reason we miss out on transformation is because we often start with discipline. But here’s the thing: discipline is actually the result of delight. It’s a fruit of delight. A lot of Christians look at their spiritual growth and think, “I just don’t have the discipline for that,” or “I need to be more disciplined.” Let me be real with you: forget that thought. The real question is, do you have delight? Most of the time, it’s delight we’re missing, not discipline.

I heard a story about an Olympic athlete who won a medal as a long-distance runner. After the ceremony, an interviewer thanked him for his sacrifices—getting up early, training, putting his country first. The athlete just shook his head and said, “You don’t get it. I love running. I love training. I get up early because I want to, not because I have to.” His delight in running created the discipline to win.

Philippians 2:13 says, “It is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

God not only initiates change but also gives us the will to experience His good pleasure—delight. We start in delight, thanksgiving, and rejoicing in who God is to us, for us, and through us. God wants us to encounter His delight until it becomes ours.

Let’s pause for a moment and consider a few questions: 

• Where have you tried to grow or overcome through sheer discipline, only to find yourself stuck? 

• Has discouragement or self-condemnation taken hold of your heart in any way? 

• Maybe you’ve picked up a heavy yoke of discipline when God is offering you the light yoke of walking with Him in delight?

Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where that’s happening, and then look at His face. He’s smiling—totally unbothered and not worried. Look closely, and you’ll see His eyes sparkling with anticipation, knowing exactly who you’re becoming in Him... and He’s thrilled about it.

“Beloved,

Your beauty, your strength, and your grace matter to us. We want these to grow from glory to glory—big, bold, and magnificent. We will teach you how to dream your way into our presence. We want you to encounter our delight until it becomes your own. You’re so much bigger and more beautiful than you realize.

We’re not asking you to be disciplined in prayer or maturity When you’re delighted, you’ll lean into us, pursue us, and love being with us—because you know we love being with you.

The pursuit of delight leads to discipline. We never start with discipline; we start with delight.

Right here, right now, no matter how you feel, know that we’re delighted with you. Please hear me say that again—I’m delighted with you. Jesus is so delighted with you. And the Holy Spirit is endlessly delighted about everything.

I think you’re going to enjoy us. I think you’re going to love us. I think you’re going to pursue us with passion—and the reason we’re sure is because we’re pursuing you first. You’ll love us because we’ll have already loved you. We’re here to love you into loving us.

So, relax. No need to perform—just receive, letting my delight and desires become yours."

Let me encourage you to stay right there—let Him help lift that heavy yoke of discipline off your shoulders. Just focus on His delight in you and this new, deeper delight you’re finding in Him.