My first encounters with faith came about the time I was a Boy

Host: The café was peaceful, the gentle hum of background conversations blending with the occasional clink of coffee cups. The late afternoon light streamed softly through the windows, casting a warm glow over the table where Jack and Jeeny sat. Jack seemed deep in thought, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of his coffee cup. Jeeny, sensing his reflective mood, waited for him to speak.

Host: After a brief silence, Jack looked up, his voice thoughtful.

Jack: “I came across a quote today from Max Lucado. He said, ‘My first encounters with faith came about the time I was a Boy Scout, at about 14 or 15. I made the logical deduction that they operate the same way; I treated my faith like earning a merit badge, and everything about Christianity was about earning merit badges.’ It got me thinking about how often we approach things like faith or personal growth with a mindset of achievement — that we need to earn it or check boxes along the way. Do you think that’s a common way we view growth or even spirituality?”

Jeeny’s eyes softened, clearly engaged by his question. She leaned in slightly, her voice calm but filled with insight as she responded.

Jeeny: “I think Lucado’s quote reflects a natural way that people sometimes approach things like faith or even personal development. When we’re young, or even as adults, we’re often taught to see things in terms of achievement — that if we do the right things, we’ll be rewarded. It’s easy to fall into that mindset, where spirituality, faith, or personal growth becomes about checking boxes and earning approval. The trouble with that, though, is that it can lead to feeling like we’re constantly in a race to prove ourselves, rather than experiencing growth as a natural, ongoing process. It turns everything into a transaction, and the true meaning can get lost in the process.”

Host: Jack nodded slowly, clearly reflecting on her words. The quiet of the café seemed to deepen as he thought about the difference between earning and growing.

Jack: “So, it’s not about earning something, but about allowing it to unfold naturally. True growth, whether spiritual or personal, isn’t about meeting some external standard or checking off accomplishments. It’s about the journey and the experience along the way.”

Jeeny smiled gently, her eyes steady with understanding as she responded.

Jeeny: “Exactly. Growth isn’t about performing to gain something or prove we’re worthy; it’s about embracing the process, learning from it, and allowing it to transform us. Faith, for example, isn’t something we earn through deeds or merit badges — it’s something we experience and grow into through understanding, compassion, and connection. It’s a process of evolution rather than completion.”

Host: Jack leaned back, a small smile forming as the realization settled in. The world outside the café continued its usual rhythm, but inside, the conversation had opened up a new perspective on personal and spiritual growth.

Jack: “So, it’s not about checking off achievements or earning rewards, but about being open to the journey itself. It’s about embracing growth as a continuous, unfolding process that doesn’t depend on earning approval.”

Jeeny nodded, her smile warm with affirmation.

Jeeny: “Exactly. It’s about recognizing that growth, whether it’s spiritual or personal, is an ongoing journey, not a checklist. And along the way, we learn, evolve, and become better not by earning something, but by engaging with the process and being open to change.”

Host: The conversation lingered between them, the quiet understanding that growth is not something to be earned but experienced. Jack and Jeeny shared a deeper understanding that true growth comes from the willingness to embrace the journey, rather than focusing on achievement or completion. The world outside continued its rhythm, but inside the café, there was a newfound appreciation for the process of growth, both spiritual and personal.