Notes from the book:
We see people who experienced drastic transformation
in the bible, like Apostles Paul and Peter. Often we also want to transform,
for example having a heart that is filled with love, having the kind of faith
that sees everything, etc. Many Christians spent years of trying and failing[1].
We often think we can change by willpower, and the reason
why we fail to keep our New Year’s resolutions are due to the lack of willpower[2].
In fact, the will actually has no power. The will is the
human capacity to choose, eg. Should I wear a red shirt or a blue one today?
The will is neither strong nor weak. Like a horse, it has only one task: to do
what the rider (the mind, influenced by the body and the social realm) tells it
to do. Change happens when these other influencers are modified[3].
The triangle of transformation involves four basic elements:
1) Changing the stories in our minds, 2) engaging in new practices, 3) in
reflection and dialogue with others who are on the same path, 4) all under the
leading of the Holy Spirit[4].
Changing our narratives:
We are creatures who live by our stories. From early on we
are told stories by our parents, which helps us interpret how life is or how
life ought to be. When we have a significant experience – one that shapes us –
we turn it into a story. We are shaped by our stories and once these stories
are in place, it determines much of our behaviour without to their accuracy or
helpfulness. It stays there largely unchallenged until we die. These narratives
are running/ruining our lives, which is why it is crucial to get the right
narratives[5]. Transformation begins in the mind.
The apostle Paul proclaimed, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the
will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)[6].
Practicing soul-training
exercises:
Athletes understand the necessity of training. Paul compared
our Christian life to the training of an athlete in several passages. In the
same way, when we engage in the spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, bible
reading or solitude, as soul-training exercises, we are doing so to change how
we live[7].
Participating in community:
Human beings are community-dwellers. However, spiritual
formation is often approached as a very individualistic endeavour. We may tend
to think of our spiritual growth as a personal pursuit, and not a communal
activity. In fact, spiritual formation happens most profoundly in the context
of a group. Participating in a group allows the influence of others to spur us
on and encourage us (Hebrews 10:24)[8].
The work of the Holy Spirit:
The constant aim of the Spirit is to point us to the Father
and the Son. Everything that happens to us in our Christian lives, is the work
of the Holy Spirit. When we become discontented with our lives, it is the
Spirit who gently nudges us towards Jesus. The Holy Spirit orchestrates the
events of our lives with the single aim of making us disciples of Jesus. The
Holy Spirit is the one who is helping us change our narratives to Jesus’
narrative. He leads away from the false narratives and replaces them with the
true narratives: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all
the truth” (John 16:13)[9].
Transformation: The fruit of the Spirit
Paul offers us a list of virtues that come into our lives as
a result of the work of the Spirit: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and
self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). We cannot grit our teeth and become patient.
We cannot muster our willpower and be kind. This “fruit” is the work of the
Holy Spirit. When the Spirit has changed our narratives sufficiently, we begin
to think differently. As we engage in soul-training exercises, our confidence
that God is at work in and among us increases. This creates an inward change
that manifest itself in outward behaviour[10].
Soul-training: Sleep
The number one enemy of Christian spiritual formation today
is exhaustion. We are living beyond our means, both financially and physically.
As a result, one of the primary activities of human life is being neglected:
sleep. According to numerous studies, the average person needs approximately
eight hours of sleep in order to maintain health[11].
The human person is not merely a soul housed in a body. Our bodies and souls
are unified. If our bodies suffer, so do our souls. We cannot neglect the body
in pursuit of spiritual growth. In fact, neglecting our bodies necessarily
impedes our spiritual growth. If our bodies are not sufficiently rested, our
energies will be diminished and our ability to pray, read the Bible, enter
solitude or memorise Scripture will be minimalized[12].
Reflections:
I wanted to try and get along with people whose
personalities, background, values and thinking are very different from me, but I
had not been successful because these differences can sometimes trigger off my “land
mines”. I do not have the capacity to love people of all kinds unconditionally
at all. I tried to serve in the caring team in our church, whereby we greet
newcomers at the door and introduce them to the leaders of various cell groups.
However, I did not feel comfortable in this position as I do not warm up to
strangers quickly. So decided not to waste my “willpower” and energy on
something which I do not have a burden for[13].
Interestingly, I find that as I grow spiritually, my tolerance capacity for
those very different from me is increasing.
Bibliography:
Smith, James Bryan. The
Good and Beautiful God. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 2010.
[1] James
Bryan Smith, The Good and Beautiful God,
(London: Hodder and Stoughton, 2010): 19.
[2]
Smith, The Good and Beautiful God,
21.
[3]
Smith, The Good and Beautiful God,
22.
[4]
Smith, The Good and Beautiful God,
23-24.
[5]
Smith, The Good and Beautiful God,
24-25.
[6]
Smith, The Good and Beautiful God,
26.
[7]
Smith, The Good and Beautiful God,
27.
[8]
Smith, The Good and Beautiful God,
27.
[9]
Smith, The Good and Beautiful God,
28.
[10]
Smith, The Good and Beautiful God,
31.
[11]
Smith, The Good and Beautiful God,
33.
[12]
Smith, The Good and Beautiful God,
34.
[13]
Smith, The Good and Beautiful God,
21.
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