Formation

Day 59.

Today I spent the day with members of my sunday school class as we delved deeper into the idea of spiritual formation and becoming disciples of Jesus. It was a fruitful time of worship, reflection, discussion and prayer. All this talk on spiritual formation makes me think specifically about how our children are formed, and in relation, how I was formed as a child.

I am grateful to my parents who taught me what it means to live life as a Christian, not just call yourself a Christian.

Their modeling is what I hope to bring to my own family now. I wonder how much of my upbringing - relating specifically to spirituality and moral guidance - was intentional, and how much was natural - coming from a much higher place of influence. I am always blown away by this deep responsibility I have of raising my children, and want to strike the right balance of forming and letting them be formed.

I hope I am living a life following Jesus that is evident enough to my children (and others) that it becomes an automatic witness. While, at the same time, showing them that intentional spiritual practice is life-giving and transformative.

Above all, showing unconditional love, and recognizing the love of Christ is at this foundation.
Here is a passage from our day:

Ephesians 3:14-19

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.