The Travail of Soul-Making
A Call to Deep Discipleship
A recent Abide Above devotional reflects on the weighty responsibility of nurturing and maturing believers in Christ. Quoting from 1 Peter 5:2-3, the devotional highlights the role of spiritual leaders and believers as shepherds: “Feed the flock of God which is among you… being examples to the flock.” But the reflection goes further, challenging us to embrace not just the joy but the labor—the travail—of helping others grow into maturity in Christ.
This idea of “travail” in soul-making may feel unfamiliar. It evokes images of struggle, persistence, and even suffering, much like a parent agonizing over the birth and growth of a child. But as the devotional points out, this is the pattern Jesus Himself followed in bringing many sons and daughters to glory through the Cross. Let’s unpack this challenge and its implications for our lives as followers of Christ.
1. Teaching vs. Travailing: The Depth of Discipleship
The devotional draws a distinction between teaching and nurturing. Teaching involves imparting knowledge, while nurturing requires cultivating, encouraging, and enduring alongside someone as they grow. This deeper calling to nurture others comes with a cost.
A. The Travail of Soul-Winning
The Apostle Paul captures this struggle when he writes: “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you” (Galatians 4:19). Paul’s work with the Galatians wasn’t a simple exchange of information; it was a labor-intensive, heart-deep process of guiding them into Christlikeness.
Spiritual Travail: To “travail” in this context reflects spiritual labor—prayer, patience, and persistence. It means walking alongside others through their struggles, doubts, and growth pains, much like Christ travailed for us on the Cross.
A Father’s Heart: The devotional notes that there are “ten thousand tutors but not many fathers.” Tutors pass on knowledge, but fathers invest their lives. True discipleship mirrors the heart of a spiritual parent, one who nurtures and sacrifices for the growth of another.
B. The Challenge of Conformity to Christ
The devotional reminds us that we should not expect to lead others into maturity without enduring our own conformity to Christ’s death and suffering. As Jesus travailed for our redemption, so we are called to walk the difficult path of shepherding others with patience and love.
2. Friendship and Prayer: Key Tools for Soul-Making
The devotional also emphasizes the importance of friendship in soul-winning, second only to prayer. These relational dynamics are essential in helping others come to know Christ and grow in Him.
A. The Role of Friendship
Friendship opens the door to deeper conversations about faith. By sincerely offering friendship, we create an opportunity to introduce others to Jesus. As the devotional notes, “How can we introduce someone to the Lord Jesus if we know only Him, but not the poor lost sinner?”
Effective soul-winning starts with connection. Before we can speak truth into someone’s life, we must first invest in that relationship, demonstrating genuine care and love.
B. The Power of Prayer
Prayer undergirds all efforts in soul-making. Just as Christ prayed for His disciples (John 17:9), we are called to intercede for those we disciple. Prayer is where we draw strength for the travail, trusting God to work in their hearts.
3. Aiming for Well-Born Souls
The devotional also challenges us to sow carefully and aim for what it calls “well-born souls”—believers who are equipped to grow and thrive from the very beginning of their spiritual journey.
A. Careful Sowing
Careful sowing involves sharing the Gospel clearly and faithfully, ensuring that those we lead to Christ understand the foundation of their faith. As Paul writes in 1 Timothy 4:6, “Nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine,” we are called to feed new believers with the truth of God’s Word.
When we invest in “well-born souls,” we help reduce the struggles they face later in their journey. This doesn’t mean shielding them from challenges but equipping them to navigate those challenges with faith and wisdom.
B. Living as Examples
Our own spiritual maturity often sets the standard for those we disciple. The devotional warns that “our own level oft-times determines the level of those we lead to the Savior.” This calls us to continually grow in Christ ourselves, so we can lead others effectively.
4. Learning from Jesus: The Ultimate Example
The devotional’s ultimate encouragement is to look to Jesus, who travailed on the Cross to bring us to glory. As Hebrews 2:10 reminds us: “For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.”
Jesus’ Travail: His suffering wasn’t only physical—it was spiritual and relational. He bore the weight of sin, experienced separation from the Father in His humanity, as well as rejection from humanity itself to bring us into fellowship with Him.
Our Travail: As His followers, we are called to reflect His heart, laboring in prayer, friendship, and sacrificial love to see others grow in faith. This is the essence of spiritual travail.
Encouragement for the Journey
The work of nurturing souls can feel overwhelming at times, but it’s important to remember that we are not the source of transformation—Christ is. As we abide in Him, His life flows in us and through us, empowering and sustaining us for the labor of discipleship.
Christ Is Your Source
You’re not called to produce spiritual growth through your own strength. Jesus Himself is your sufficiency. John 15:5 reminds us, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” Let His life within you be the wellspring from which you labor in love. The more you yield to His Spirit, the more His life naturally expresses itself through you.The Harvest Belongs to Him
Transformation is God’s work, not ours. While we are privileged to participate in His mission, the results are in His hands. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 3:7, “So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” Rest in the truth that the harvest comes from His life at work in others, not from your efforts.Abide in His Strength
When the labor feels heavy, return to the truth of your oneness with Christ. Galatians 2:20 reminds us, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Trust that He is working in and through you, even when you don’t see immediate results.
Conclusion: Embracing the Travail
Spiritual travail isn’t glamorous, but it’s essential. As we invest in the lives of others, nurturing them with prayer, friendship, and sound teaching, we follow the example of Christ, who labored on the Cross to bring us to glory. The challenge is great, but so is the privilege—to walk alongside others as they are transformed into the image of Christ.
Let us not shy away from this holy labor, but embrace it, trusting God to work through us for His glory.
Closing Prayer of Praise
Lord Jesus, You travailed on the Cross to bring us into fellowship with the Father, and we stand in awe of Your sacrifice. Thank You for calling us to join in this holy labor of nurturing others in their faith. May our hearts reflect Your love and patience as we walk alongside those You’ve placed in our lives. Thank You for strengthening us for the travail, filling us with Your Spirit, and letting every effort bring glory to Your name. Amen.