Ava Pennington
11 min read ⭑
“As I learn and grow, the Lord brings me to ‘light bulb’ moments, and my joy comes from seeing others experience those same moments. This motivates my ministry activities, from leadership in my church’s women’s ministry to teaching Bible studies to writing and speaking.”
As a freelance editor, writer and speaker coach, and Bible study leader to over 200 women, Ava Pennington loves words — especially words about Jesus. She’s also the author of several books, including Daily Reflections on the Names of God and Flourish: Grace-Centered Practices to Protect and Grow a Fruitful Life in Christ. When she’s not writing, editing or coaching, she’s busy teaching others how to live wholeheartedly for Jesus Christ and apply his Word to their lives.
Today, she’s opening up about how Christians can continually grow in the fruit of the Spirit and what God is teaching her about vulnerability in spiritual writing. You’ll also discover how her former career as a corporate HR executive in New York City shaped her — and her all-time favorite pizza order.
QUESTION #1: ACQUAINT
The meals we enjoy are about so much more than the food we eat. So how does a “go-to” meal at your favorite hometown restaurant reveal the true you behind your web bio?
They say, “You can take the girl out of the city, but you can’t take the city out of the girl.” In my case, that’s not quite accurate. Although I was born and raised in New York City, my husband and I moved to South Florida 25 years ago. We both worked in demanding careers, Russ in federal law enforcement, and I in Manhattan’s financial district as a corporate Human Resources executive for multinational firms.
Our commute into “the city” from an outer borough lasted 90 minutes each way, lengthening already wearying work days. Coming home to cook a meal wasn’t a priority, so takeout became a frequent practice. Our go-to treat was a thin-crust mushroom pizza from Joe & Pat’s Pizzeria. New York pizza has a reputation for being the best, and that particular pizza was indeed the best. But those meals were more than convenient. They allowed us to shed our heavy titles and responsibilities to simply be Russ and Ava as we ate with tomato sauce dripping off our fingers and chins.
After our relocation, our favorite restaurant specialized in seafood, a reflection of our new environment. Our seasonal go-to menu item at Panama Hattie’s was all-you-can-eat King Crab legs. With melted butter dripping off fingers and chins (again!) we’d laugh and reminisce at how two very different meals still resulted in us wearing our food!
More importantly, these meals consistently offered the opportunity to be ourselves, relaxed — and yes, a bit sloppy! — while enjoying the sweet gift of our marriage. And I’ll always be grateful for how those times helped anchor me apart from my career.
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QUESTION #2: REVEAL
We’ve all got quirky proclivities and out-of-the-way interests. So what are yours? What so-called “nonspiritual” activity do you love engaging in that also helps you find essential spiritual renewal?
Living in New York City didn’t offer many opportunities for digging in the dirt, but life in Florida is different. In this second half of my life, the activities that take up most of my days include writing for the Christian market and teaching Bible studies. So getting my hands dirty is immensely satisfying, and not just because it helps me manage my weight!
Funny thing is, I’m death to indoor potted plants. But outdoors? Planting, pruning and weeding provide deep levels of contentment as I view the results. While I enjoy planting colorful flowers, nothing comes close to picking and eating a mango from a tree grown from a seed I planted years earlier. Or cropping and planting the top of a pineapple and then tasting the sweet fruit 18 months later.
It has become almost clichéd to speak of God as the ultimate Gardener, going way back to the Garden of Eden. And yet, just as he patiently plants, tends and cultivates fruit in us, he is teaching me something through my gardening activities. Patience is not one of my strong virtues. But it takes time to watch a tree grow to fruit-bearing age. Or to wait 18 months for a small pineapple. I could easily go to the supermarket for a fraction of the effort. But the neat thing about these lessons in patience is the joy I receive when I experience the tangible results. And it helps motivate me to cultivate the fruit of patience in my own life with perhaps a little less complaining!
QUESTION #3: CONFESS
Every superhero has a weakness; every human, too. We’re just good at faking it. But who are we kidding? We’re all broken and in this thing together. So what’s your kryptonite, and how do you confront its power head-on?
I’m a recovering control freak. Between my firstborn birth order and a corporate executive career, my default approach to life has been to try harder, work smarter and do better. In a word? Control. As a Christian, I know God is sovereign — the only one in true control. Still, that didn’t stop me, even if I didn’t always admit it.
As I grew older, life drove home the reality that my ability to control is merely an illusion. And truly, these aren’t lessons easily or pleasantly learned. The loss of my husband to cancer, a health issue of my own and financial setbacks over the years are just a few circumstances reinforcing this lesson.
My striving finally came to a head when I faced the pride at the root of my desire for control. Pride works to ensure my convenience is prioritized and my agenda reigns supreme. Admitting I’m not in control meant acknowledging someone else is. Someone not only in control of the universe, but also of my life. And admitting this means acknowledging accountability to him. There’s no room for pride here.
God continues to teach me that my attempts to control were never part of my job description. I can be a slow learner, but I’m improving. So when I speak of being a recovering control freak, I’ll continue to use the present tense. And I’ll keep reminding myself that my control is an illusion. Which is just as well, because the one who is in control will always be better at it than I am!
QUESTION #4: FIRE UP
Tell us about your toil. How are you investing your professional time right now? What’s your current obsession? And why should it be ours?
When I first came to know the Lord in my early 20s, I benefited from belonging to a church that practiced a vibrant discipleship ministry. Being the recipient of such a strong discipleship program birthed a deep desire in me to do the same for others. To know what we believe and why we believe it. And to experience authentic, lifelong transformation instead of being content with intellectual knowledge.
As I learn and grow, the Lord brings me to “light bulb” moments, and my joy comes from seeing others experience those same moments. This motivates my ministry activities, from leadership in my church’s women’s ministry to teaching Bible studies to writing and speaking. And I’m currently beginning my 20th year as the teacher of a weekly, interdenominational Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) class of 200+ women.
My first book, “Daily Reflections on the Names of God,” reprinted in three editions, was a daily devotional focusing on the names and attributes of God for the purpose of knowing him more intimately. I’m grateful that Kay Arthur, founder of Precepts Ministries International, endorsed it.
And I’m excited to share my newest book, “Flourish: Grace-Centered Practices to Protect and Grow a Fruitful Life in Christ,” will be released in October 2025 and is now available for preorder. The catalyst for this book came as I found myself wishing for more of the fruit of the Spirit. But if the fruit of the Spirit is promised to every Christian, why do we often find ourselves wishing for more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness or self-control? Our spiritual enemy works hard to stunt the growth of this fruit in our lives. So how can we be on guard and protect what we already have? I can’t wait to share it with your readers!
QUESTION #5: BOOST
Cashiers, CEOs, contractors or customer service reps, we all need grace flowing into us and back out into the world. How does the Holy Spirit invigorate your work? And how do you know it’s God when it happens?
I had mentioned how my own “light bulb” moments lead to ministry opportunities. I’ll have an idea for a post, book or speaking topic, start strong, then hit a wall as I stare at the blinking cursor on my laptop’s screen. That’s usually when the Holy Spirit brings inspiration by way of relevant lessons I’m learning, often the hard way! Have I mentioned I’m a bit hardheaded? Still, I’ve lost count of the number of times readers have responded to the lessons I’ve shared, often when I’ve been most vulnerable about how God has been at work.
When it comes to writing, teaching and speaking, I think vulnerability has probably been the most inspirational and transformational lesson of all. The grace God pours into me, into you, into all of us, is not meant to be hoarded. We become vessels, revealing his grace to hurting people.
Still, this lesson did not come easy. When I first began writing years ago, I held back from detailed personal illustrations, thinking, “It’s not about me.” But over time, the Holy Spirit showed me again and again that I can share the work he’s doing without making it about me. From there, he then brings to mind illustrations of others who are also learning and growing as he works in them, too. I think it boils down to the difference between two styles: sharing from a position of imparting knowledge or sharing from the position of a fellow traveler on a similar journey.
QUESTION #6: inspire
Scripture and tradition beckon us into the rich and varied habits that open our hearts to the presence of God. So let us in. Which spiritual practice is working best for you in this season?
The spiritual practice that works best for me in this season is one I struggled with for many years. It’s the practice of protecting my morning quiet time with the Lord. And yes, I know that sounds like a basic “duh” answer. But the reason I struggled with it for so long is that my quiet time consisted of me doing all the talking. Praise, confession, thanksgiving and requests, with barely a break between words.
That all changed when the Holy Spirit convicted me to slow down long enough to stop talking and listen. For example, God recently used my quiet time to get my attention regarding prayer requests for myself. I had a list of items I had been praying about for a long while. So when I got to the list that morning, I thought, Here we are again, Lord. These things are outside my control, so I have to trust you for them. And I sensed the Lord asking, “Have to? You have to trust me?” In that moment, I realized it was not that I had to trust him or even that I wanted to trust him, it was that I have the privilege of trusting him!
In another example, as I pray for others, the Holy Spirit often breaks through to show me how the other person’s need is also my own. I recently prayed for a friend to trust not only God’s answer, but his timing. And as I paused in his presence, I sensed the Lord asking, “What about you? Are you trusting my timing?” Ouch! So I guess the bottom line is that while I’m not especially creative in my spiritual disciplines, the most creative, out-of-the-box thing I can do is to be still and listen!
QUESTION #7: FOCUS
Looking backward, considering the full sweep of your unique faith journey and all you encountered along the way, what top three resources stand out to you? What changed reality and your heart?
One of the most impactful resources for me early in my relationship with the Lord was in-depth Bible study using the Precepts Ministries method. Guided lessons and a variety of colored pencils helped me slow down (hmmm, I’m detecting a theme here!) to examine individual words and phrases. I learned how to truly study Scripture and not just skim it. Talk about the many “light bulb” moments that occurred during those studies!
Books are another go-to resource for me. Classic devotionals such as Oswald Chambers’ “My Utmost for His Highest” or Charles Spurgeon’s “Morning and Evening” are favorites. One book gifted to me during an especially difficult season several years ago made a huge difference in my life: “The Perfect Love” by Ruth Myers. Combined with the title, the subtitle appealed to my deepest need. “The Perfect Love: Intensely Personal, Overflowing, Never Ending.” I received this book shortly after my husband died after a long bout of cancer, but it’s not a book written specifically for those who are grieving. I highly recommend it for everyone who desires to draw near to our heavenly Father’s perfect love as they grow in their faith life.
Finally, I have to include music as a resource that continually encourages my heart. Worship music by Michael W. Smith, especially “Agnus Dei,” never fails to lift me to the throne room of heaven. And music by the Christian group MercyMe often speaks hope to my soul when I’m in difficult circumstances, with songs such as “Even If” and “The Hurt and the Healer.”
We all have things we cling to to survive or even thrive in our fast-paced, techno-driven world. How have you been successful in harnessing technology to aid in your spiritual growth?
I have to confess, I’m a bit old-school when it comes to technological resources. There’s just something about holding a book and turning the pages. But I have learned — and am learning — the value and convenience technology brings. Bible Gateway is helpful for searching larger passages and commentaries. And Bible Hub is handy for comparing specific verses in multiple translations. Some of my favorite sites include BibleProject and Blue Letter Bible.
BibleProject is especially helpful when I use it as an introduction to a study of a book of the Bible or to a study of a particular doctrine. The videos provide relatable and easily understood explanations regardless of the viewer’s level of biblical literacy.
Blue Letter Bible is a wonderful resource for conveniently drilling down with word studies in Hebrew and Greek. Each individual word is a hyperlink that takes you to original language definitions.
So this old-school gal is joyfully taking advantage of new-school resources!
QUESTION #8: dream
God’s continually stirring new things in each of us. So give us the scoop! What’s beginning to stir in you but not yet fully awakened? What can we expect from you in the future?
I once heard the challenge, “What would you attempt if you knew you couldn’t fail?” I’ve often wondered about the answer. What would I attempt?
I think the answer is less about what I want and more about wondering what God’s agenda is for me. While that may sound like a cop-out, it really isn’t. As I mentioned earlier, I’ve spent a large portion of my life focused on my agenda and plans. Writing more books and growing a teaching and speaking ministry are all items I hope God chooses for me. But at the same time, I don’t want to fall back into my old ways. The balance is found in dreaming, but not running ahead of God. Leaning into the gifts he has given me to encourage others, but not trying to force open doors he has not opened.
Yes, I dream of growing my writing, teaching and speaking ministry as God leads. The key for me is, and will be, trusting him as he leads. To not run ahead of him, but equally important, to not lag behind him either. To confidently step through the doors he opens — confident not in my own strength, but in the strength of the one I belong to. And on that basis, I joyfully anticipate how he will use me for his kingdom!
As far as godly character qualities go, patience may not always get the attention it deserves, but the benefits it reaps are undeniable. Research shows that people with patience for daily setbacks or hassles are more satisfied with their lives and are less likely to be depressed.
But cultivating such patience isn’t easy. As Ava mentioned above, it takes consistent effort and plenty of time. Yet just as a seed guarded and faithfully tended will always yield its fruit, so will we produce the good fruit of patience if we surrender to Jesus over and over — no matter how long it takes.
Ava Pennington is an author, speaker and Bible teacher with a Bible Studies Certificate from Moody Bible Institute and an M.B.A. from St. John’s University. She is a freelance editor and certified coach for writers and speakers. Her newest book is Flourish: Grace-Centered Practices to Protect and Grow a Fruitful Life in Christ (Kregel). Other books include Reflections on the Names of God (Revell), endorsed by Precepts founder Kay Arthur. Ava also teaches a weekly Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) class of 200+ women and is an inspirational speaker for church and community groups and writers conferences.
