What is Spiritual Formation?

We all, with unveiled faces, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)

Key points

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 – you will be nodding right now if you are a parent of a teenager.

The internal drive that is awakened in teenagers sees them seeking individualized formation.

We are not always conscious of the external and internal influences that are contributing to our transformation as we go along in life.

Peer groups and the pervading culture of the generation take on a significance that at first offers the teen 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, that could only ever end up being as useful as a house built on sand.

I decided to ask the God who created me, my Heavenly Father, my Lord who is the Spirit, to guide me.

Jesus gave us lots of creative ways to mature and be transformed that can become a rhythm for life.

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 will 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.

Listen to this episode of Real Hope | The Podcast in the player above, on the Hope 103.2 app or wherever you get your podcasts.

Subscribe to the YouVersion plan or listen to Real Hope | The Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Feature image: Photo by CanvaPro

Series written by Kath Henry

Originally published as Spiritual Formation – What is Spiritual Formation?

Feature image: CanvaPro