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For this episode of The Reluctant Leader Podcast, we’re talking about something most of us wrestle with: how to measure progress in a healthy way.

In a culture obsessed with instant results, it’s easy to believe we’re failing when growth feels slow. But whether it’s physical training, spiritual formation, emotional health, or leadership development, the deepest transformation usually happens quietly over time.

Using ultra marathon training as a backdrop, Paul explores why daily measurements can be discouraging, why “invisible growth” still matters, and how God often works beneath the surface long before fruit becomes visible.

If you’ve ever felt frustrated by slow progress in your faith, leadership, healing, or personal growth, this episode is a reminder that consistency matters more than quick results — and that deep roots grow slowly.

In this episode:

• Why daily metrics can distort our perspective
• The danger of measuring our souls like social media
• What endurance training teaches us about spiritual growth
• Signs of real transformation that often go unnoticed
• How Jesus described Kingdom growth in Mark 4
• Why slow growth is still healthy growth
• The difference between becoming impressive and becoming whole

Key Quote:

Scripture Reference:

• Mark 4:26–29

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Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

Rather watch the video? Head over to The Reluctant Leader Podcast on my YouTube channel.

Got questions or comments? Text them to me!

We live on a planet sustained by five great oceans. But what sustains the human soul?

In this episode, Paul shares how a simple morning rhythm—shaped through the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises and grounded in everyday objects—has become a pathway to deeper attachment with Christ.

A candle.
A cup of coffee.
A faithful companion named Eden.
A chair.
And above all… Christ.

These five “Cs” have become daily reminders that God’s presence still meets us in ordinary places.

If you’ve been feeling spiritually dry, emotionally tired, or mentally cluttered, this episode is a reminder that renewal often doesn’t come through dramatic breakthroughs—it comes through simple, consistent return.

In This Episode:

• Why ordinary objects can become sacred reminders
• How God’s light pushes back inner darkness
• The warmth and filling presence of God
• Jesus as the Companion who stays close
• Learning to rest your full weight in God’s care
• Why Christ is the center of every sustaining rhythm
• How to build your own daily reminders of grace

Key Scripture References:

• John 1:5
• Psalm 23:5
• Proverbs 18:24
• Matthew 11:28–30
• Colossians 1:17

Memorable Line:

Sustainable faith is rarely built in dramatic moments. It’s built in daily returning.

If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who’s been running on empty.

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Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

Rather watch the video? Head over to The Reluctant Leader Podcast on my YouTube channel.

Got questions or comments? Text them to me!

We live in a world built for speed—instant answers, constant connection, and endless noise. But what if all that “progress” is quietly costing us something deeper?

In this episode, Paul explores the tension between the fast-paced superhighways we’ve grown used to and the ancient paths God invites us to walk. Through a simple but powerful question—Could you go back to life without your smartphone?—we begin to uncover just how much our habits have shaped us.

Anchored in Jeremiah 6:16, this conversation doesn’t just highlight the beauty of the ancient path—it confronts the reality that most people won’t choose it. But for those who do? There’s a kind of rest waiting that no amount of speed or convenience can ever provide.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Faster isn’t always better
  Just because something is efficient doesn’t mean it’s forming you in the right direction.
• Our habits shape our expectations
  What we’ve grown used to (speed, convenience, distraction) has rewired what feels “normal.”
• Spiritual depth requires a different pace
  Stillness, silence, and waiting aren’t setbacks—they’re pathways.
• Most people won’t choose the ancient path
  Not because they can’t—but because they won’t slow down enough to walk it.
• Rest is promised—but only on that path
  God doesn’t just offer direction… He offers restoration.

📖 Scripture Focus

• Jeremiah 6:16 – The invitation to walk the ancient paths—and the sobering reality that many refuse.

💡 Reflection Questions

• Where in your life have you traded depth for speed?
• What feels hardest about slowing down right now?
• If you’re honest, are you admiring the ancient path… or actually walking it?
• What’s one small step you could take today to choose a slower, more intentional rhythm?

🛠️ Simple Practice (Start Today)

5-Minute Reset

• Put your phone in another room
• Sit quietly with God
• Read a short passage of Scripture
• Don’t rush—just notice His presence

It might feel unfamiliar… but that’s how new (ancient) rhythms begin.

🔁 Share & Subscribe

If this episode challenged or encouraged you, share it with a friend who might be feeling the weight of a fast-paced life. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes.

🎙️ Closing Thought

The world will keep inviting you to move faster.
God is inviting you to walk deeper.

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Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

Rather watch the video? Head over to The Reluctant Leader Podcast on my YouTube channel.