By Zach Kawa
Every spring, something incredible happens quietly all around us. Seeds buried deep in the soil begin pushing toward the light. Flowers that seemed absent only weeks before begin to bloom. Trees that looked bare and lifeless slowly fill with vibrant green leaves again. It happens gradually, almost quietly, yet the transformation is remarkable. Spring reminds us that growth often happens beneath the surface, long before we notice it. Roots are forming, life is stirring, and something new is preparing to emerge.
In many ways, my time in the Louisville Fellows Program has felt like a season of spring. My faith is deepening rather than remaining something simply inherited. It’s not always obvious in the moment, but when I pause and look back, I can see that I have grown in tremendous ways. Growth rarely feels dramatic while it’s happening, but over time you begin to notice the small changes—new perspectives, deeper questions, and a greater understanding of who you are becoming. Through this program, I have learned more about myself. I have discovered that I am more of a specialist than a generalist. I’ve realized how deeply empathetic I can be toward others, but also how I still need to grow in my ability to have hard or crucial conversations. Growth doesn’t only reveal our strengths—it gently exposes the places where God is still shaping us. I have also learned that it is good to ask questions about faith. It’s okay not to know everything. It’s okay to admit that my faith is still growing and that I am not perfect in it. Wrestling with belief and identity has become something I’ve come to see as a gift, because if we never wrestle with our faith, how do we truly grow into who God calls us to be—one of the Beloved? One of the most meaningful parts of that growth has been learning to ask honest questions, not just about my own faith but about faith in general.
Over the past few months, I have spent time reflecting on three questions in particular.
- What actually makes someone a Christian?
- Why do I personally believe?
- How do we deal with hypocrisy in the church?
For a long time, I believed that asking questions like these meant my faith was weak. I worried that doubt or curiosity somehow meant I wasn’t believing the “right” way. But I’ve come to realize something different. Asking questions isn’t a sign of weak faith—it’s often a sign that faith is growing deeper. It means we care enough about what we believe to examine it honestly. Faith that grows strong usually begins with honest reflection. And through wrestling with these questions, I’ve realized just how grateful I am for the community that has made space for these conversations. Through prayer, encouragement, thoughtful discussions, time invested in the Fellows, and the creation of a safe place to grow, the support of the St. Francis in the Fields community has been deeply meaningful. Growth rarely happens alone. The St. Francis community has given their time, wisdom, and encouragement to help Fellows grow not only as leaders but as people trying to follow Christ more faithfully. Whether through intentional mentorship, meaningful conversations, or simple acts of kindness, this community has helped nurture our growth in ways that often happen quietly but powerfully. Just like the quiet work of spring, much of that growth happens in ways we don’t always notice at first. But over time, the fruit begins to appear. As this season of the Fellows program continues, I find myself filled with gratitude—not only for what I have learned, but for the people who have helped make that learning possible. Your support, wisdom, and willingness to walk alongside us have made this season of growth possible. And just like spring reminds us each year, growth is often happening beneath the surface, even when we cannot yet see it.
A few questions I leave you with:
- Where have you noticed quiet growth in your faith recently?
- What questions about faith might God be inviting you to wrestle with right now?
- Who are the people in your life who have helped nurture your spiritual growth?
Growth in faith, like spring, rarely happens overnight—but it always begins somewhere.