OWN IT!

You don't own it until you experience it!

Owning Spiritual Formation

You may know “spiritual formation” by other names like “spiritual growth” or “transformation.” But you know what they say about that proverbial rose. This post is like the repentance one. But let’s take it further. Paul says the goal of the Christian life is to be “conformed to the image of His Son.” (Romans 8:29) It is about becoming. Sin mars and scars our lives. We need reconstructive surgery. We need some serious plastic surgery to restore us to our Imago Dei appearance. We were created in the image and likeness of God. Most of us look like we have been cut up in a knife-fight so badly that the facial recognition machine would not know us. The transformation from one degree of glory to another can be a slow painful process. Being transformed by the renewing of our minds is tough. But most of all it must be intentional. Thankfully the Holy Spirit is the surgeon. He can skillfully snip and tuck and stitch so even the scars disappear.

Let’s switch metaphors. Formation reminds us of clay molding. The potter must prepare the clay so that it is moldable. He then has in mind what he wants to clay to look like. Then he spins it around on his wheel until the clay is dizzy.  You know Jesus is working on you when you feel like you are on the cup and saucer ride at Disney. If you are spiritually comfortable, then you are not being formed. If you never squirm when you hear the preacher on Sundays or when you read the word of God, you are not being formed. If you are the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow then you are not being formed. If people do not notice the difference in your walk, talk, and attitude, then you are not being formed. Formation must be experienced. You can see it in the apostles. They are not the same in Acts as they were in Luke. You could see Jesus taking shape in their lives. Hear Paul’s words to the Galatians: “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you….” (Gal.4:19) The child in utero is constantly being formed up until childbirth. What will I look like when I am born? Fully formed? YOU DON’T OWN IT UNTIL YOU EXPERIENCE IT.