Two words that set fire to my theology

Friends sitting around a firepit as they eat

Recently I was headed down the highway to a spiritual formation conference. What is that, you may ask? I would have wondered too when I had no idea what spiritual formation was. 

Before I explain, those two beautiful words spiritual formation woke me up many years back to the transformation of an ongoing journey towards becoming like Christ in character and action. 

 I thought I knew what salvation, the kingdom of God, and discipleship meant. (My dad was a minister, for crying out loud!)

 And yet, the idea of spiritual formation set a fire to my theology, not in a deconstructing way, but in a mind-blowing kind of way!

Ok…so what IS spiritual formation anyway? 

Here's how a few of my friends (older and wiser Jesus followers than me) define spiritual formation.

Ted said,

“Spiritual formation is the process by which we change from the inside out to be like somebody. Christian spiritual formation is the process by which we change from the inside out to be like Jesus.”

Scott said:

“Spiritual formation happens when we commit to be ‘with Jesus.'”

And finally, Alice:

“Spiritual formation is what takes place inside of us that's drawing us to become more like Christ. We are formed by God through our inner selves, in order to be in a real relationship with Him---free of our sin (or how we turn away from God).

“Discipleship is taking our formed selves out into the world. It draws others to Christ…Discipleship happens best and is most real the more we are spiritually formed with and towards the Trinity.”

Everything in our lives forms us spiritually. Yep, everything. For better or worse. 

What we intentionally pursure and interact with especially shapes us: work, family, community, school, nature, or those yummy pumpkin pancakes you're still pondering. Stick with me.

How you engage with your life matters almost as much as what you allow to form you.

Did you shove those pancakes in your mouth in two bites and run out the door? Or did you slow down and notice what you were eating for a few minutes? Did you even notice the gift of your breakfast? 

I'm not judging any of these. (I've been shoveling lemon chicken soup in my mouth between paragraphs here.)

We're all a mix of hurry and slow. But what we let in---people, possessions, information, environment, time spent---and how we pay attention to the details molds us. 

We all have a soul, and we are both passively and actively formed. 

We choose how we are spiritually formed moment by moment.

That's where soul care and spiritual practice, aspects of spiritual formation come in. We care for our souls WITH God, by focusing on spiritually nourishing realms in our lives, areas and activities that bring us into God's presence. 

That may mean we need to abstain from some unhealthy areas of our current lives. Perhaps we need to refocus on inviting in activities that help us to love like Christ more and embody his character.

I am one who thinks most anything we do spiritually forms us and can also be a practice. In fact, many Christians (and humans) are already familiar with worship, prayer, study, service, fasting, and Sabbath keeping. 

There are lesser realized disciplines (another way to say “practices”) too: being in nature, rest, friendship, mentoring, and so very many kinds of prayer (it would blow your mind really!)

What makes a spiritual practice a practice is the intentionality with which you go about it.

Some view discipling or discipleship (a term often used synonymously spiritual formation) as spiritual formation. I have friends who would argue that spiritual formation is the larger umbrella, and discipleship falls under that as a spiritual practice. 

Honestly, I don't think it matters too much. 

Reading this essay is forming you. Doing your next task after this is shaping you too, even if you do it with some thought or none (like the blueberries I'm now eating). 

To make something a practice is to engage in spiritual formation on purpose, moment by moment, again and again, as you seek to be like Christ. You commit to learn and embody how he moves and works in the world. 

To be like Christ is to care for our souls because we are spiritual beings, and that encompasses EVERYTHING in our lives. Yes, everything!

Our souls matter to God, so they should matter to us.

Ponder that the next time you drive down the highway.