ABC’s

“Spiritual Formation for the Christian…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.” -Dallas Willard

Imagine purposefully shaping your inner life. Structuring your entire existence so that your heart, mind, and strength would begin to mirror the inner life of Jesus.

Sound extreme?

If you think about it, that’s exactly what we do with our children. We work diligently to create environments where their hearts and minds will be shaped. Thea’s little world is covered with the ABC’s. We read Chicka-Chicka-Boom-Boom, a fun book that goes through the alphabet three times. We have Dr Suess’s ABC Book. During bath time, there are foam alphabet and numbers that float or stick to the side of the tub. After 18 months of that, she’s now pointing at certain letters and naming them. While most of the letters are “A”, it shows that her inner world is being formed by the alphabet and the English language.

Raising children like this is natural. Ignoring this and letting people choose any words or symbols they want would be irresponsible.

Unfortunately, many people treat their spiritual inner worlds with a lack of intentionality. Instead of purposefully constructing a life that would help their inner worlds be conformed to the inner life of Jesus, they haphazardly entertain random influences.

It would be similar to constructing a child’s nursery with incomplete alphabets from different languages … and then hoping they grow up with clear communication skills.

Just as children require intentional guidance, so do we. But with intentionality and the power of the Spirit, we can stop being conformed to the pattern of this world and be transformed, with renewed minds, shaped by Jesus.

Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not conform any longer the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:1-2

I encourage you to take some time today to reflect on your spiritual formation journey. What areas of your life need to be transformed? What intentional steps can you take to become more like Jesus?