Master Potter, Form me
This academic year in
API ends much as it began – with hope. How many of you attended the inaugural
event, “Master Potter, Simple Clay”? I enjoyed the way the Master Potter theme
was used throughout the year. We saw it in Mulholland's Shaped by the Word, and in our year-long text, Soul Shaping, by Stephen W. Smith. I
just finished the last exercise in session eight of Soul Shaping. As he wraps up the book, he
lists and describes the value of spiritual disciplines in continuing the process God
began when he first formed us. Jan Johnson describes transformation this way: “Our task is
to do the connecting while God does the perfecting.” Dallas Willard observes
that, “somewhat ironically, perhaps, all of the ‘spiritual disciplines’ are, or
essentially involve, bodily behaviors…” Both of these ideas tell me that,
although it is God’s business to do the supernatural work of transforming me, I
can cooperate with him.
Smith lists ten spiritual disciplines that can help us on
our individual journeys toward Christ-likeness. All of these are things we have
been practicing this year. For more detail see pages 191-194. The disciplines are:
Celebration – “Rejoice with those who
rejoice.”
Contemplation – Reflection, not just
reaction.
Fellowship – Creating safe places for
heart-to-heart sharing.
Guidance – Affirmation and gentle
challenge of a soul friend.
Journaling – Pouring out the heart with
honesty.
Submission – Yielding to the wisdom of another.
Prayer – In any of its various forms.
Silence – We learn to listen to God’s
voice.
Solitude – So we can hear God’s words.
Study – To become better informed about
the journey ahead.
These are
all recommended to help shift our dependence from ourselves or other people, to
God and to his kingdom. Which of these has been most meaningful for you? Which
of these do you want to work on?
Personally, where I think have I
progressed the most is in Soul Friendship. I am practicing prayerful listening
in all kinds of situations I never thought of before – like on the phone during
a call for customer support, or at the business meeting of my homeowner’s
association. In every encounter I have with another person, God is asking me to
see this person as one who is fearfully and wonderfully made in His image, His
handiwork, created for good works prepared in advance.
Another thing I bring away is
the understanding that though this work is sometimes painful, it is much easier
when it is shared. Dr. Gary Rohrmayer said at a conference I attended last
fall, “I believe we are all on a spiritual journey and that we don’t have to
take it alone.” In the seminars and on retreats, I love the way we can be alone
together with God.
