In Totality with Megan Ashley – Episode 77: Unveiling the Hidden Heart (Part 2)
Release Date: July 1, 2025

Introduction

In the concluding part of her engaging conversation with Jackie Hill Perry, Megan Ashley delves deep into the heart of Christian discipleship, authenticity in ministry, and the challenges faced by Christian content creators in a digital age. This episode, "Unveiling the Hidden Heart (Part 2)," offers listeners profound insights into living a life wholly devoted to God, navigating the complexities of social media influence, and embracing genuine repentance and spiritual growth.

Key Discussion Topics

1. Incentives to Follow Christ

The conversation begins with Megan posing a crucial question: "What do you feel like is being presented as the incentive to follow Christ?" (00:51).

Jackie Hill Perry responds by critiquing the prevalent narrative of self-aggrandizement and human optimization as incentives for following Christ. She argues that Christianity is often portrayed as a path to personal success and fulfillment, which can divert believers from the true essence of sacrificial love and service.

"I think we've created a version of Jesus who comes alongside us to serve our dreams instead of a Jesus who says, no, I need you to lay everything down to serve mine." (02:37)

Jackie emphasizes that true Christian discipleship requires prioritizing God’s will over personal ambitions, highlighting the dysfunctional and chaotic state of the world when individuals do not center their lives around Christ.

2. Christian Content Creation and Social Media

Megan transitions the discussion to the realm of social media, expressing her grief over the current state of Christian content creation driven by algorithms rather than genuine faith.

"I'm very troubled by the rise in content that is provocative and sensational but not discipleship-focused." (07:06)

Jackie Hill Perry echoes these concerns, lamenting the prevalence of child-like, entertaining content that lacks depth and fails to teach scripture effectively. She criticizes the use of clickbait and misleading titles that prioritize engagement over truth and honor.

"Even the titles are lying. They're putting false witness on the platform." (09:02)

Megan and Jackie discuss the ethical dilemmas faced by Christian content creators, emphasizing the need for authenticity, integrity, and a heart posture that honors God rather than chasing worldly metrics like subscribers and downloads.

"If I'm a content creator, I need to ask: Is my content helping me love God and my neighbor more?" (16:56)

3. Repentance and Spiritual Growth

The conversation shifts towards personal repentance and the courage required to confront and cleanse one's heart of sin. Jackie shares her journey of forgiveness and the transformative power of true repentance, drawing parallels with Psalm 51.

"Repentance is an act of courage, a decision to move differently anchored in the love and mercy of God." (27:53)

Megan adds her vulnerability, recounting a personal experience where shifting from petitioning God to simply praising Him deepened her relationship with Him.

"I felt so much closer to Him by simply just being about Him, making it about Him." (25:53)

4. The Prodigal Son and Personal Application

In a reflective segment, Megan relates her life experiences to the parable of the Prodigal Son, discussing her journey of returning to God with intentions of servitude and discovering His unmerited favor.

"When I taste and see that the Lord is good, everything of lower quality just doesn't hit the same anymore." (53:22)

Jackie encourages Megan to maintain a constant relationship with God, likening it to taking medication before pain sets in, ensuring that faith remains a priority regardless of circumstances.

"Even if the Lord doesn't take away your suffering, He is still worthy of your complete devotion." (63:09)

5. Authentic Authority and Servant Leadership

The duo explores the concept of authentic authority in ministry, distinguishing between power driven by self-interest and authority rooted in intimacy with God. They advocate for a ministry that emanates from genuine holiness and dependence on God rather than strategic manipulation.

"You cannot have authority over what you're still a slave to." (35:17)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Megan Ashley: "We need to ask ourselves where we are in our hearts and repent for what we are consuming and creating." (27:22)

• Jackie Hill Perry: "The greatest in the kingdom is the servant of all. That's the true essence of Christian faith." (22:44)

• Megan Ashley: "My life is my worship. Being laid down at the altar for the Lord every single day is true worship." (47:58)

• Jackie Hill Perry: "We just need to get back to the basics of the Christian faith. Who is Christ? What does He require? What does it mean to follow Him?" (66:16)

Personal Reflections and Experiences

Throughout the episode, both Megan and Jackie share personal anecdotes that illustrate their spiritual journeys. Megan discusses her sabbatical and the emotional struggles she faced in reconciling her content creation with her faith. Jackie opens up about her process of forgiving others and the internal battle of relinquishing control to embrace true repentance.

"I was holding onto offenses in my heart, which quenched the Holy Spirit's presence in my life." (33:58)

Their candid conversations serve as a testament to the challenges of living a life fully devoted to God amidst societal pressures and personal weaknesses.

Conclusions and Takeaways

In this heartfelt episode, Megan Ashley and Jackie Hill Perry challenge listeners to:

1. Prioritize God Over Personal Ambitions: Avoid using Christianity as a means to self-optimization and worldly success. Instead, focus on sacrificial love and serving God's will.

2. Create Authentic Content: Christian content creators are urged to produce content that honors God, teaches scripture faithfully, and fosters genuine discipleship rather than chasing algorithm-driven metrics.

3. Embrace True Repentance: Genuine repentance requires courage to confront one's sins and surrendering control to God, leading to deep spiritual growth and intimacy with Him.

4. Understand the Prodigal Son: The parable serves as a mirror for personal reflection, encouraging believers to return to God with humility and dependence on His mercy.

5. Maintain Authentic Authority: Ministry should stem from a place of genuine holiness and intimate relationship with God, not from strategic manipulation or pursuit of power.

6. Return to the Basics: A strong foundation in the basics of the Christian faith—understanding who Christ is and what it means to follow Him—is essential for authentic discipleship and effective ministry.

Final Thoughts

"Unveiling the Hidden Heart (Part 2)" is a compelling exploration of the depths of Christian faith, the pitfalls of modern ministry practices, and the transformative power of authentic repentance and devotion. Megan Ashley and Jackie Hill Perry invite listeners to reflect deeply on their spiritual journeys, urging a return to genuine discipleship and wholehearted service to God.

Remember: Whether you're a seasoned believer or just beginning your spiritual journey, this episode provides valuable insights to help you live a life that truly reflects God's love and truth.

Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.