Series: The Reign of God in Our Hearts
Wikipedia defines spiritual formation as: The growth and development of the whole person by an intentional focus on one’s (1) spiritual and interior life, (2) interactions with others in ordinary life, and (3) the spiritual practices (prayer, the study of scripture, fasting, simplicity, solitude, confession, worship, etc.). The key word for today here is focus!
Speaking in general terms of spiritual formation as a universal experience, American philosophy professor and author Dallas Willard writes, “it is a process that happens to everyone….Terrorists as well as saints are the outcome of spiritual formation. Their spirits or hearts have been formed.” And with respect to Christian spiritual formation, he continues, “spiritual formation for the Christian basically refers to the Spirit-driven process of forming the inner world of the human self in such a way that it becomes like the inner being of Christ himself.”
Ahh……….”the inner world of the human self”, that part of us that we might also refer to as our heart. Not the organ that pumps the life sustaining blood thru our physical bodies, but that inner core of our being that encompasses the entirety of our mental and moral activity, both the rational and the emotional elements, that gives us the awareness of being alive……both physically and spiritually! The heart thus becomes the seat for experiencing and expressing life’s situations: grief, joy, desire, affection, perceptions, thoughts, understanding, reasoning power, the imagination, conscience, intentions, purpose, will and faith.
In terms of thinking of our spiritual formation as a process, we need to realize that it is a life long process! Revelation 2:10 tells us, “Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life”. And we also need to remember that we have an “adversary, the devil,” that “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1Pet 5:8) We will no doubt have ups and downs! It truly becomes a matter of focus!
Peter’s life is a perfect example of a spiritual journey with ups and downs!! His impetuous nature would cause a roller coaster effect for most of his life. One minute, he’s walking on water, the next he’s crying out to the Lord to save him from sinking. One minute, he’s drawing his sword, the next he’s fleeing the garden and following from afar. One minute he’s boasting that he’s ready to go to prison and even die for Jesus, the next he’s denying that he even knows the Lord!! That particular night had to be the all time “down moment” of Peter’s life!
Another man hit an all time “down moment” that night, Judas the betrayer. But, there is a significant difference in the response and outcome of these two disciples. Peter’s heart would hold on to the virtue of God’s grace. He would RE-FOCUS and go on to become a “rock” for the cause of Jesus and the church! Judas as we know would not!!
Heavenly Father, as we live our lives and strive to focus on your son Jesus, transform our hearts with a deep connection to the virtues of your grace, so that when the adversary comes prowling, we can re-focus! In the name of Jesus, Amen!
Ron Smith
Beeville, Texas
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