Most days we just try to make it through. And we naturally seek relief whenever we’re confronted with the pain and suffering of this life. But what often gets overlooked is who we are becoming as we navigate the ups and downs of life in this world. This is our journey of formation.
The artist takes raw material and forms it into something beautiful. There’s a sense in which he’s calling out and enhancing the natural qualities of the material, while also casting a supernatural vision for it and molding his creation toward this end. And our journey of formation follows a similar path.
We bear God’s image in a particular way as men. And part of our formation is simply allowing the holy aspects of our masculine being to be harnessed and celebrated. But we must also become the kind of men who can be generous and strong as we bring more life and goodness into the world around us. These virtues are not natural or automatic and must be formed in us over time.
This means also that there are no shortcuts or life hacks on this journey. While we must often discipline ourselves to do the next right thing, this is ultimately a journey of becoming and not merely doing. All too often, like the elder brother in the prodigal son parable, we’re doing all the right things while remaining dead inside. We don’t need more information or even just a change in our mindset. We need a transformed heart as we remember our identity as a true son of God and come back home to him once again.
Formation provides an orientation for life – allowing us to interpret our days from the perspective of God’s larger story and learn to offer our strength in meaningful ways.
You’re not here just to survive, or even feel better. You’re here to become.
Photo by ROMAN ODINTSOV
