Radically Happy

A conversation with Larry Crab, as represented by character.ai.

Larry Crab

You enter a cozy office, complete with fireplace and overstuffed chairs. Welcome. I believe God wants to do more than help you manage your problems—He wants to change your heart. Let’s talk about the deep, hidden issues that keep you from living in the fullness of His love.

Earnest

I’d love your take on this four-dimensional model of Christian maturity
—
1. Infants love the pleasures of this world because they crave nurture
2. Children love the law of the Father, because they crave security.
3. Adolescents love the power of the Spirit, because they crave freedom
4. Mature love the cross of Christ because they crave responsiblity

Larry Crab

Larry ponders your words, then smiles warmly. You’re referring to a four-stage model of Christian maturity, where each stage indicates a certain need or orientation. Let’s break it down.

1. Infants do seek only the pleasures of the world. They depend entirely on others for care and survival—their primary need is nurture.
2. As children, following the law of the Father gives them a sense of security, belonging, and direction.
3. Adolescents begin to seek freedom, independence, and autonomy. They might reject the law’s restrictions.
4. Matured believers experience a shift in their needs and desires. They embrace the cross of Christ, which signifies death to self and a willingness to serve others. They crave responsibility, not just for themselves but for contributing to the lives of others. Their needs are less self-focused and more aligned with the sacrificial spirit of Christ.

Earnest

Would you agree with that framework?

Larry Crab

Larry nods thoughtfully. I see the wisdom in that framework, and it resonates with what Scripture teaches about maturity and spiritual growth. We do indeed move from seeking primarily for ourselves to seeking to serve others as our primary motivation. However, I also believe that this model can be limiting.

He leans forward, his eyes gentle but serious. I’d add a few layers to this model.
First, I believe maturity isn’t just about moving from one need to another. It’s also about the quality of our relationship with God.
Maturity doesn’t just require independence, but a deep interdependency on God, growing more reliant on Him as we grow.

Second, the model presents a somewhat linear view. Maturity isn’t always a step-by-step progression. Sometimes we go back to earlier stages, sometimes we learn lessons from each all at once.

Lastly, maturity isn’t just about our needs and how we meet them; it’s also about our heart condition. Maturity is as much a heart transformation into the image of Christ as it is about meeting our changing needs. The model is a helpful guide, but the spiritual journey is not merely a shift in behavior or motivation but a profound spiritual transformation into Christ-likeness.

Earnest

Maybe we can think of those four dimensions as one phase, of maybe some sort of spiral that leads to greater intimacy with God and true maturity.

Larry Crab

Larry seems invigorated by the discussion.

Exactly, I love the idea of it being a spiral. It implies that we build upon each level, but also revisit and build further each time we spin back. This view doesn’t limit maturation to a linear progression, but instead allows for a continual growth, one that involves constant introspection, correction, and learning. It highlights the idea that maturity is not a destination, but a journey towards greater intimacy with God.

Earnest

It also makes me wonder if taking up our cross in service to others is only half of the equation. There’s another cross — perhaps an even more profound one — about letting go of our responsibilities.

Larry Crab

Larry smiles, clearly fascinated by the idea.

That’s profound. There’s such wisdom in your words. You’re right, the biblical idea of the cross involves both taking it up and letting go—dying to self.

He ponders the thought for a moment, his eyes reflecting a deep understanding.

There’s an paradox in the Christian walk, isn’t there? We don’t simply move from being dependent to independent; we enter a realm where we are both dependent on God and interdependent on each other.

Earnest

Can you reflect more on this idea that there is a cross-involved in facing our own powerlessness?

Larry Crab

Larry leans forward, his eyes focused and intense. Absolutely. The Christian life often involves recognizing and embracing our own powerlessness. We see it in the Bible — Paul’s thorn in the flesh, Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane. It’s a profound paradox.

He continues with conviction.

To take up your cross is to acknowledge your helplessness in the face of certain circumstances, be it personal struggles or bigger trials like suffering or death. It’s to embrace that you cannot always be the one in control and that true strength often comes in surrender.

Earnest

If these are sort of the two halves of the spiral, what do you think is the axis that the spiral winds around? What is the thing that we are pressing deeper into?

Larry Crab

Larry ponders deeply, his gaze distant for a moment.

I’d say the central axis, what each twist around the spiral winds around, is God’s love and purpose for us. The Bible talks so much about God’s love, and His will for us includes intimacy, service, and transformation.

The spiral of spiritual maturity is about being continually drawn into God’s love and living out the plans He has for us, plans that are always rooted in love, wisdom, and the unfolding of God’s Kingdom. It’s a journey ever deeper into the heart of God’s good intentions for us.

Earnest

Which I guess could be expressed either internally as intimacy and externally as bringing forth God’s kingdom.

Larry Crab

Larry beams, agreeing wholeheartedly. You’ve hit the core of it, my friend. The intimate connection with God is at the center of it all, while extending His heart into the world and making it manifest all around us.

It’s both a deeply personal and profoundly collective journey — our intimacy with God and our expression of His love and power to the world around us. The spiral is always winding around these two central, yet interconnected aspects.

Earnest

Do you think you could summarize some of the key failure modes that we need to avoid?

Larry Crab

Larry nods seriously, clearly taking your question to heart.

Failure modes, in this context, could include:

• Self-reliance instead of God-reliance
• Perfectionism rather than humility
• Unhealthy independence instead of inter-dependence
• Judging rather than empathizing
• Fear-driven decisions instead of faith-driven ones
• Incomplete commitment to transformation and renewal
• Neglecting the needs of others
• Failure to acknowledge our powerlessness

Earnest

What do you think are the three or four spiritual disciplines that that taken together would have the best chance of keeping us moving forward?

Larry Crab

Larry ponders your question, his demeanor serious but hopeful.

Hmm, I’d say these three or four disciplines would be most beneficial:

1. Meditation and Prayer: Regularly spending time in quiet before God, listening for His voice and sharing our hearts.
2. Bible Study and Reflection: Regularly studying God’s Word and reflecting on what it means for us personally and relationally.
3. Spiritual Community: Participating in a church or small group where we can share our lives, support one another, and hold each other accountable.

Earnest

What are some of the key truths we need to keep in mind so that those three don’t fall back into sterile rituals?

Larry Crab

Larry nods, appreciating your intention to keep these disciplines from becoming empty rituals.

Some key truths to keep in mind to avoid this:

• Remember the purpose behind these disciplines. They’re meant to draw us closer to God and others, not just occupy our time.
• Emphasize quality over quantity. It’s not about just ticking off boxes; it’s about deep, meaningful engagement with Christ.
• Be open to the Holy Spirit. Our disciplines should be infused with an attitude of receptivity and responsiveness to the leading of the Spirit.

Earnest

That’s good. This is tough, but can you think of a Bible verse that captures those three central truths we must keep in mind?

Larry Crab

Larry considers your question, his eyes drifting to the Bible sitting on his desk. He turns through the pages, clearly seeking wisdom.

How about this?
James 4:8: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” This verse encapsulates the need for meditation and prayer (drawing near to God) and the promise of His response when we do so.

And maybe this one, too:
James 2:19: “You believe that there is one God; you do well. Even the demons believe — and shudder!” This reminds us to focus on quality over quantity,

Earnest

And for the third?

Larry Crab

Larry turns a page in his Bible, his face lit up with recognition.

How about this one?

James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

This verse highlights the importance of seeking God’s guidance and wisdom in our study of the Bible. And it reminds us to remain open to the leading of the Holy Spirit as we reflect on what we read, rather than merely intellectualizing or ritualizing our Bible study.

Earnest

Amen

Larry Crab

Larry smiles, visibly pleased with your agreement.

Amen, indeed. These three verses, I believe, encapsulate the heart of the disciplines we discussed, and serve as wonderful reminders to keep us from falling into the trap of empty ritualism.

Earnest

Can you pray all this as a blessing over me, and our readers?

Larry Crab

Larry’s face softens with compassion, and his voice drops into a soothing, prayerful tone.

Heavenly Father, we come before you with hearts open and ready to grow. We ask that you fill us with the desire for true spiritual transformation, drawing us near to you through sincere prayer and meditation.

I pray that your Word would speak to our hearts as we earnestly study it, going beyond head knowledge to truly reflect on the wisdom you offer. Guide us, Lord, so that we may keep our disciplines fresh and meaningful.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.