By Tanika Asiedu
Master of Ministry Online Program
There is a quiet tension many adults carry, the sense that God is calling them to grow while life already feels full. For many, that calling begins to surface while considering returning to school through an online college.
Responsibilities do not pause for personal development. Children still need care no matter how many you have. When I had one child, it was just as full as I am now with four. Work still demands attention, and depending on where you work, that can be a lot on one person. Ministry and daily obligations continue. Yet the desire to learn was still there after some gentle nudging from my husband. After prayer and seeking God, I realized it wasn’t just a desire, but it was His invitation.
Growth Rarely Comes in Convenient Seasons
Scripture consistently shows that preparation happens in ordinary seasons.
Moses learned leadership while tending sheep. I learned it while I was parenting.
David developed character long before the crown. God has been developing me day by day.
Paul spent years growing before stepping fully into ministry. And boy, is that my life story.
Growth rarely begins when life slows down. It begins when obedience meets everyday life. I believe my biggest year of growth was this last one, 2025. When I finally said “YES”—yes to the next 24 hours of obedience even though I don’t know how the next five years will look.
The Fear of Starting Again
Many adults hesitate because starting again feels vulnerable.
I had so many questions roaming around in my mind:
- What if I fail (again)?
- What if I’m not capable?
- What if I’ve waited too long?
God was showing me when we respond to our call in obedience, we must learn, and we must grow.
God does not waste seasons. He prepares us through them.
Faithful Consistency Over Dramatic Change
I always thought that every moment of change would look as dramatic as when He called me back to himself. Transformation should look dramatic, right, just like Paul. Yet spiritual and intellectual growth usually begins quietly.
One hour of study.
One new discipline.
One step of obedience.
Luke 16:10 reminds us that faithfulness in small things builds capacity for greater responsibility.
Consistency forms confidence.
Two Pathways of Growth
Growth looks different for each of us, and I’ve come to truly appreciate that in this season of my life.
For some people, the next step in their journey may look like structured education through intentionally developing the skills, discipline, and knowledge needed for the calling ahead. Sometimes growth simply means letting go of old habits, mindsets, or patterns we’ve been carrying far longer than we should have.
For others, growth may come through discipleship and learning within community, deepening faith, and strengthening the spiritual rhythms that keep us grounded when life gets busy or uncertain.
Both paths lead us toward maturity. And honestly, I’ve learned that we need both.
For me, returning to school at Grace Christian University has been one of the most transformative decisions I’ve made. It isn’t about just earning a degree. It has stretched my thinking, strengthened my discipline, and reminded me that learning is a lifelong act of obedience and stewardship. Every class, every assignment, and every late-night study session has been shaping me, but not just academically, spiritually and personally as well.
Grace has helped me grow in confidence, clarity, and commitment to the calling God has placed on my life. It has challenged me to think deeper, lead better, and steward my voice with greater responsibility.
And that’s the beauty of growth. It rarely looks the same for any two people.
Some of us grow in classrooms.
Some of us grow in community.
Some of us grow in the quiet, faithful work of changing habits and renewing our minds.
But every step forward matters. Because every step honors the call to learn
Invitation
If you sense God inviting you into growth, start where you are.
You do not need perfect timing.
You do not need complete clarity.
You only need willingness.
Growth begins with yes.
If you feel that same quiet invitation to grow, you are not alone. Many adults step back into learning while balancing work, family, and ministry. Grace Christian University’s online programs are designed for seasons like this, flexible, Bible-centered, and built for students who are pursuing their calling in the middle of real life. If you’re considering taking that next step, I encourage you to explore the online programs at Grace and see how continued learning can become part of the work God is already doing in your life.
