In quiet moments when we think about our faith, we often wonder: Why does my faith sometimes become a plateau? We do the usual things, we go to church, but the excitement we once had for Christ seems to fade. The answer, as we see in the lives of the first disciples, is found in the important link between the Bible, caring deeply for others, and the truth of the Resurrection.

The Salt and the Bread

A spiritual life without the daily study of Scripture is like a body without food. Ellen G. White says, a heart cannot remain "sweet" without the daily application of the "salt of the Word."

Many of us fall into the trap of relying on past spiritual experiences. We may assume that reading the Bible last year is enough to sustain our faith, but faith is not static—it requires continual renewal. Only by intentionally spending time with God each day can we prevent our faith from becoming stagnant. This daily commitment transforms mere knowledge about God into the deep assurance that allows us to declare with confidence: "I know whom I have believed."

Mission: The Natural Overflow

There is a simple way to check how healthy our spiritual life is: our desire to share the Gospel. The message reminds us that mission and caring for others are always connected. If we find we do not want to reach out to others, it shows that our time with the Bible has become empty.

True mission is not just a task or something the church tells us to do; it is a feeling that comes from being filled with God's love. Only when we are immersed in God's Holy Word do we truly develop a burden for souls. And we cannot help but proclaim the Gospel.

We see that doing God's work without caring for people is meaningless. To care deeply for others is to see the world the way Jesus did, who explained the Scriptures to the disciples until their hearts were on fire.

The Power of Resurrection

Perhaps the most striking reflection is the resurrection's importance. We often dwell on the Cross—the blood, the suffering, and the sacrifice. And while the Cross is the ultimate act of love, it is the empty tomb that gives the Cross its authority.  

Without the resurrection, Jesus' incarnation brings no salvation, His suffering leads to no victory, His blood offers no redemption, the Cross holds no hope, and God's redemptive plan remains incomplete.

Our faith is not based on a grave in Palestine, but on a Living Savior who is with us. This is why we can face the future.

A Call to Experience

If you feel your faith has become monotonous, the remedy is simple but demanding: return to the Word with intention. Seek not just information, but a fresh experience. When we are grounded in the Bible, our mission becomes clear, our burden for others grows, and our lives become a living testimony that Jesus is not just a figure of history but a risen Lord. He is alive!

Let us live with the urgency of the disciples, fueled by the bread of life and the joy of a Savior who has conquered death once and for all.

Adapted from the message of Pastor Ildefonso Baquilabat as the first speaker of the East Central Philippine Union Conference's Ten Sessions of Prayer.

Lyn Lucero/ ECPUC Communication Department