Missio Dei 3
February 26, 2009
A favorite and simple definition of spiritual formation comes from the heart of Robert Mulholland. Spiritual Formation is the process of becoming conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others. The words “for the sake of others” are missional words. Spirituality is about change, personal change that spills out into the world. Christianity is the movement of people who gather and scatter in participation with the work God is doing in and out of the church to expand his kingdom.
What I am concerned with here is to build a life around this principle of living that includes a “for the sake of others.” What will it take to become the kind of person who sees himself as sent by God? How do I change to become aware all the time that I am a missio dei tool in the hand of God? Last week I began to tackle the question of time. So I have made a commitment to “unbusy my life.” Now what? What goes, what stays? What do I do? That’s too big to tackle all at once. So what goes this week, what stays this week, what do I do this week? Too big still. Today?
I will walk up and down the street I live on twice, east and west sides. I will pray for each home’s residents. I will ask my life group to join me so we are doing it in community.
My prayer will be simple: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on the people of this home. Open their eyes that they may see and enter the kingdom of God. I am a tool in the hands of God.
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I love the simple and practical nature of your “prayer walk.” I am going to try and employ it myself.
Take a few others with you. I would love to hear how things went.
This had got to be the most powerful definition of Spiritual Formation I have ever heard.
Our spiritual growth is not primarily for ourselves but for others!?!
Gotta think about that one.
“spirituality is about change that spills over…” I like this description. Good stuff Brad.
Chad’s question/exclamation reminds me about Jesus’ words in John 6: How the “bread” (Jesus body and life) means life for the world.
[...] friend Georges Boujakly writes a helpful post on the need for spiritual formation being “for the sake of others.” Lately I have had [...]
Paul, it should actually be “good stuff Georges.” But I completely agree about it being good stuff!
Thank you for the reminder George. It is beautiful that all that we do, read, meditate on, personal prayer, whatever, is for the sake of others to the glory of God.
Blessings
[...] Boujakly over at Missional Order posted something that really made me think. A favorite and simple definition of spiritual formation comes [...]