April 16, 2004
Profound Simplicity
For some reason, some of the most simple, basic, grade-school level statements often have a profound impact on my thought. Perhaps it’s that I see things again for the first time, things that I have been looking at, but not really seeing. Or, things that I have only half seen…and not really understood the depth of them…
The following quote from Dallas Willard’s book, Renovation of the Heart struck me as amazingly profound. It’s nothing new. It’s nothing I’ve not heard before.
“The simplicity of Spiritual Formation lies in its intention. Its aim is to bring every element in our being, working from inside out, into harmony with the will of God and the kingdom of God. This is the simple focus. We must keep it constantly before us and not be distracted by other things, no matter how good they may appear.”
Read that a few times. It’s really simple. bring every element of our whole being, working from the inside out, into harmony with the will of God and the kingdom of God….
Man, it’s so easy to be distracted by so many (in the words of Charlie Peacock’s song “William and Maggie”) “things that aren’t so bad, it’s just, they are never things that we can trust.”
Something I am wrestling through in my head and heart, if we really lived the above quote, what would this look like? What would this do?…to our lives?…to the lives of others?
04.17.04
By: Jayne
This is great Todd. The most interesting phrase that calls my attention is this: “working from the inside out”. This learned practice of overcoming the distractions and ‘cooperating with God’ (an ancient mystic concept) as He forms our spiritual soul must begin inside of us. Eventually it will make it to the outside, but not before we are changed on the inside. What does that look like? I think that is a life-long question.
05.14.04
By: Todd Hiestand
no kidding jayne, that is the challange of spiritual formation..how does it look/work/happen. when you come up with some good answers let me know!