Here at Sugarloaf we are currently spending time in a process of spiritual formation called "From Here...to There" Becoming the Person You Were Created To Be! Spiritual formation is an often neglected aspect of a Christian's life. We have accepted Christ, we love Christ and we really do believe in him, but we aren't (at least a lot of us) being formed in Christ; we aren't moving toward the life God offers us and so wants us to experience.
If "here" represents where we currently are in our life, "there" represents the hopes and dreams God has for us. We know we are moving from here to there when the Fruits of the Spirit are being developed in us. (Go to Galatians 5:22-23 to see a list of the fruits!) The fruits are developed in us as we engage in what are called "spiritual disciplines." The disciplines include things like solitude, meditation, prayer, fasting, worship, study, and service. It is in these times of engaging in the spiritual disciplines that God transforms us into the people he had in mind when we created us in the first place!
My hope is that you are actively participating in these disciplines. Be sure to read the booklet you got in worship this past Sunday. It gives a brief overview of the various practices. As you spend time with God this week, give attention to the suggested questions and reflections in Sunday's worship outline.
I look forward to being with you Sunday as we reflect on the second fruit of the Spirit - JOY.
Till then,
Stuart
