Jesus: I Speak to You Again

Chapter 121

The Significance of One’s Desire to Grow Spiritually and to Experience

One’s desire to grow spiritually plays a crucial role in the progress of that growth. Spiritual growth follows an evolutionary plan designed by the Father. Without an individual’s sincere desire, such growth cannot occur. Spiritual progress is never forced or achieved out of obligation. Compulsion or duty may serve as a benchmark for contemplation, but the decision to embark on the path of spiritual growth is always voluntary, guided by one’s free will. It is through personal desire that an individual can either enhance or delay the revelation of their potential at any given moment.

However, this desire alone does not accelerate spiritual growth itself, which consists solely of personal experience. The Father already knows the path each of you will take to reach Him on Paradise. He sees all of eternity within the present moment and knows every beginning from the end. Therefore, no matter how much you desire to speed up or slow down your progression, the Father knows all your choices—your doubts, your deviations, and your trust or distrust in Him and the path.

You cannot proceed on your spiritual journey any other way than through the way you desire to experience it, step by step, at the present moment. If your focus drifts to the past or the future, you miss out on the full depth of the experiences available to you in the now. Spiritual growth, therefore, must always be anchored in the present moment.

While memories of the past or visions of the future can inspire or increase your desire for spiritual growth, they are not dangerous as long as they don’t replace your focus on the present. These moments are helpful in generating peace or enthusiasm but should not take precedence over the present, which is where experience unfolds. The real danger arises when you try to live entirely in the past or the future, avoiding the present altogether.

When I speak of spiritual growth that can be slowed or sped up by an individual’s desire, I am referring to the depth of experience gained in the present. Your spiritual progress depends on how deeply you experience life at any given moment. No amount of desire alone can bring about growth unless it is matched by lived experience. A person cannot grow spiritually by wishing to grow—they must actually live, act, and experience.

In this sense, the present moment is everything. It is only in the now that you can accumulate the experiences that reveal your true self. Just as a child progresses from grade to grade in school, growing in knowledge and understanding, so too does a soul develop by actively engaging with life. Desire alone does not lead to growth; it must be accompanied by action and experience.

Therefore, even the most noble desires for a better life for yourself or others depend entirely on how deeply you experience your connection with the Father in the present moment. The more you engage in the present, the more you reveal your true self through action, experience, and the application of knowledge. This process is like a child learning to drive: no matter how much they desire to drive well, it is only through practice that they can master the skill.

Your spiritual journey follows the same principle. No matter how strongly you desire spiritual growth, it will only happen as you live and apply your experiences in the present moment. The desire to grow is important, but it is the actions and experiences that follow from that desire that truly reveal the depth of your growth.

In the grand scheme of creation, your life is like a school where each experience is an opportunity to grow, learn, and apply new knowledge. There is no shortcut to spiritual progress—each step must be taken with care and attention, rooted in the present moment. Just as you cannot master a skill overnight, you cannot accelerate your spiritual journey by mere desire alone. It is your lived experience that propels you forward.

Desire acts as a catalyst for spiritual growth, but it does not replace the hard work of living and learning. As you seek new experiences with the Father, your desire to grow spiritually helps you stay open to learning, but it is the experience itself that leads to real progress. Through your experiences, you come to understand your true self, and your journey toward the Father continues, moment by moment.