Classic models of spiritual formation describe a three-stage process of being transformed into the image of Christ:
• Purgation: A phase of uncovering our need for God.
• Illumination: Discovering who we are meant to be in Christ and learning his will and way.
• Union: Deep abiding in God’s presence and conforming to God’s likeness.
Ronald Rohlheiser, in his book Sacred Fire, recasts this traditional description in a compelling way, imagining formation as:
• The struggle to get our lives together.
• The struggle to give our lives away.
• The struggle to give our deaths away.
Along with loving more ordinary language for spiritual growth, I am captured by how these “struggles” connect to my experience of becoming a more faithful and generous steward.
We spend our early years seeking to understand ourselves, navigating new responsibilities and trying to create a measure of sustainability. Our use of resources and finances often feels reactive rather than intentional as we try to hold our lives together.
God willing, we begin to focus less on self and survival later in life. Attention shifts toward blessing and benefiting those around us through use of our resources. We recognize our responsibility and opportunity to live and give in ways that resonate with our faith and values.
Nearing the end of our lives, our prayers, example and wisdom can be a more extraordinary gift than anything we might give others. Before we pass, we can create a legacy through the creative and generous use of resources entrusted to us.
As with spiritual formation, our growth in generosity and faithful stewardship rarely happens by accident. Instead, they tend to flourish in faith communities devoted to learning the grace and discipline of spiritual formation.
• Purgation: A phase of uncovering our need for God.
• Illumination: Discovering who we are meant to be in Christ and learning his will and way.
• Union: Deep abiding in God’s presence and conforming to God’s likeness.
Ronald Rohlheiser, in his book Sacred Fire, recasts this traditional description in a compelling way, imagining formation as:
• The struggle to get our lives together.
• The struggle to give our lives away.
• The struggle to give our deaths away.
Along with loving more ordinary language for spiritual growth, I am captured by how these “struggles” connect to my experience of becoming a more faithful and generous steward.
We spend our early years seeking to understand ourselves, navigating new responsibilities and trying to create a measure of sustainability. Our use of resources and finances often feels reactive rather than intentional as we try to hold our lives together.
God willing, we begin to focus less on self and survival later in life. Attention shifts toward blessing and benefiting those around us through use of our resources. We recognize our responsibility and opportunity to live and give in ways that resonate with our faith and values.
Nearing the end of our lives, our prayers, example and wisdom can be a more extraordinary gift than anything we might give others. Before we pass, we can create a legacy through the creative and generous use of resources entrusted to us.
As with spiritual formation, our growth in generosity and faithful stewardship rarely happens by accident. Instead, they tend to flourish in faith communities devoted to learning the grace and discipline of spiritual formation.