Have you ever felt spiritually stalled? Like you remember a time when your faith was vibrant and alive, but now you're just going through the motions? You're not alone. A survey of 15,000 Christians revealed that 95% admitted to being stalled in their spiritual journey.

The story of Hernando Cortez, the Spanish explorer who landed in Mexico in 1519, offers a powerful metaphor for commitment. Upon arriving with his men and 11 ships, he did something historians still find fascinating—he sunk his own ships. This eliminated any "Plan B" for his men. They had to be fully committed to their mission of conquest.

Commitment precedes achievement. It's a pledge based on honor, proven through our actions and investments of time and resources. In 1 Kings 18:21, Elijah challenged the people: "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him."
The word "waver" actually translates to "limp"—creating a mental image of moving side to side rather than forward. Many of us are limping between commitments rather than moving decisively in God's direction.

Like the opera singer Luciano Pavarotti, who struggled to choose between becoming a teacher or a singer, we often face multiple good options. His father wisely advised him: "If you sit on two chairs, you will fall between them for life. You must choose a chair." Pavarotti chose singing and blessed the world with his gift.

Life presents us with multiple good options, and discernment is needed to find the "God option." Scripture guides us:

• "Commit your ways to the Lord" (Psalm 37:5)
• "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will be established" (Proverbs 16:3)
• "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord" (Romans 12:11)

Many Christians feel spiritually numb because they've stopped giving to others. We're designed to be constantly flowing in the Spirit, impacting lives around us. You're on assignment—to your family, your workplace, your community.

In 2 Timothy 1, we get a glimpse into Timothy's relationship with Paul. Timothy had stalled spiritually, though we're not told exactly why. Was it disillusionment? Pain? Crisis? Frustration? Had he become too busy?

Many people claim they're "too busy" for church, but biblical heroes were busy people too. They were armor bearers, blacksmiths, carpenters, farmers, fishermen, physicians, tax collectors, and more. Yet they prioritized seeking God's kingdom first.

Paul's letter to Timothy provides a model for encouraging someone who has stalled spiritually:

"I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also" (2 Timothy 1:5).

Paul affirms Timothy's authentic faith and acknowledges the generational blessing of faith in his family. Sometimes the most powerful moments in our lives come when someone reminds us of who we are and what God has called us to do.

"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands" (2 Timothy 1:6).

Paul makes it clear that it's Timothy's responsibility to nurture what God has already given him. We often wait for God to do something while sitting passively, but God calls us to be junior partners in what He does.

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7).

The Holy Spirit empowers us to move beyond fear into confident action, motivated by love and guided by self-discipline.

In Luke 5:1-11, we see another powerful example of commitment. After fishing all night without success, the disciples were washing their nets—essentially giving up. Jesus challenged Peter to "put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch."

Peter's response reveals the turning point: "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."

The result? So many fish that their nets began to break and both boats began to sink. Jesus then called them to a higher purpose: "From now on you will fish for people."

Too often, we wash our nets when we don't see immediate results. We stop praying for breakthrough. We unfriend people at the slightest provocation. We abandon our spiritual expectations. But Jesus calls us deeper.

In 1 Kings 19:19-21, when Elijah called Elisha to follow him, Elisha slaughtered his oxen and burned his plowing equipment to cook the meat. He eliminated his Plan B, fully committing to God's call on his life.

Many of us have been dabbling in the things of God while holding onto Plan B. It's time to release anything less than the full calling of what God wants us to do and who He wants us to be.

It's time to break through spiritual stagnation and commit fully to God's purposes. Here are some questions to consider this week:

• Where have I been "limping" between commitments rather than moving decisively in God's direction?
• What "Plan B" might I need to surrender to fully commit to God's calling?
• How can I "fan into flame" the spiritual gifts God has already given me?
• Who in my life needs encouragement to rekindle their spiritual passion?
• In what areas am I washing my nets (giving up) when God is calling me to go deeper?