Spiritual FormationSample

What is spiritual formation?

The reality is we are all being formed. However, we are not always conscious of the external and internal influences that are contributing to our transformation as we go along in life. The life stage that most commonly makes us aware of formation influencers is the teenage years. The internal drive that is awakened in teenagers sees them seeking individualised formation. Peer groups and the pervading culture of the generation take on a significance that at first offers the teens ways to develop the truest version of themselves. In the end, this path often demands conforming to belong.

I regularly say (and pray) that I want to grow up before I grow old. For me that means to be transformed daily into a person of maturity in every aspect of life. I know that I cannot do that on my own. So instead of conforming or forming a life of my own making, which could only ever end up being as useful as a house built on sand, I asked the God who created me, my Heavenly Father, my Lord who is the Spirit, to guide me. Turns out that Jesus gave us lots of creative ways to mature and be transformed that can become a rhythm for life.

Choosing this path for living is called ‘spiritual formation’ and the ways or tools to help us are called ‘practices’. We’ll look at a practice each day that you can join me in trying. Let’s start this day by making 2 Corinthians 3:18 our prayer.

Written by KATH HENRY