For my final project in the Spiritual Formation class I am taking this semester, I was asked to come up with an essay or video explaining spiritual formation. I chose to compare our spiritual formation to the formation of a tree. When we come across a big, beautiful, mature tree, we never assume the tree appeared there out of nowhere fully grown. We know that trees start as tiny seeds that fall onto or are planted in good soil. In order to grow, seeds must have adequate sun and water. They must build strong roots. Some trees also need additional tending from a gardener.
Just as a tree needs certain elements in order to grow strong and bear fruit, we too need certain elements in place in order to grow in our spiritual formation. Spiritual formation starts as a tiny seed of faith. The seed may have been purposeful planted by someone else in the faith, or it may have fallen on good soil. In other words, some people come to faith by having someone else tell them about Jesus, such as a parent, family member, or friend. Some people come to faith through seeking God on their own, reading the Bible, or by God calling them in a dream or vision. Regardless, faith on its own does not grow.
We need the sun - or, rather, the SON.
We need water - the cleansing and bathing of the Holy Spirit.
We need strong roots - growing in Scripture-reading, prayer, and other spiritual disciplines.
Sometimes, we need the Gardener to come and help us.
Spiritual formation doesn’t just happen. I read the book, "I Surrender All" by Priscilla Shirer this summer, and she noted that we have to cooperate with the work of the Spirit in our lives. It’s not magic. The disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus. They walked with Him 24/7. Their spiritual formation was developed through spending time with Jesus. We likewise should do the same.
Our spiritual formation must be intentional and purposeful. We must develop habits and disciplines that keep us focused on Jesus. We do these things out of love, not duty (though there may be times it is duty that keeps us moving forward). By walking with Christ and spending time with Him, we grow and are formed through the Spirit.
This is how we become more like Jesus. We no longer are doing; we simply are. Our lives of love and works of justice stem from our identity founded in Christ. This allows us to reproduce as Jesus called us to, by being disciples who make disciples, and by sharing His fruit with the world.
Jesus talks about this in John 15. He said that those who abide in Him, stay closely connected to Him, will grow and bear fruit. An immature tree - or branch, in Jesus' example - will not bear fruit. One disconnected from the trunk - or vine, in Jesus' example - will not bear fruit.
What is this fruit? In John 13:35, Jesus says those outside the church should be able to identify followers of Jesus by their love for others. Love not in a mushy emotional way, but in a practical, action-oriented way. We show love for others by caring for the poor and needy, by being present in the suffering of others, by advocating for equity and justice for all, and by wanting for others what we want for ourselves.
The fruit of the mature believer is love. Justice. Compassion. Humility. Service. The fruits of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit.
So, how come so many people claiming to be Christian aren't bearing fruit?
Maybe their seed of faith fell on bad soil.
Maybe instead of basking in the light of the Son, they are basking in the light of bad influences and untruths.
Maybe they merely use that name to get ahead in a society where Christians have privilege, but it isn't truly part of who they are.
Or maybe, no one has ever taught them how to grow. All they were told was, say this quick prayer and you'll go to Heaven, but no discipleship was ever done. No one tended to that seed of faith. It had no sun, no water, no good soil.
I'd like to hope it's not too late for those people. I'd like to believe their seed hasn't died and can still grow. If the seed is showered in love with a dose of gentle instruction and correction, perhaps it, too, can grow and one day bear fruit.
I'm tending my tree. How are you tending yours?
If for some reason you'd like to see the one-and-a-half-minute video I made for class, I think this link will take you there.
WANT TO READ MORE... subscribe to my blog through Substack. No membership required and free! Check it out, here: https://substack.com/@jadedevangelical. OR pick up my newly released book, "Letters to the Jaded Evangelical: Finding Jesus in the Shards of Religion." Available in e-book and paperback format; free to read for Amazon KU subscribers.
Add comment
Comments