Lent is a time of self-introspection. A time of repentance and renewal. A time to reorient our lives in following Christ.
In short, a time to focus on spiritual formation.
This is something that we talk about quite often as being something very personal, and it is. We are working to dig out the sins which have buried themselves into our being as habits. We are working to develop virtues in us which give evidence of the fruits of the Spirit.
We are working on ourselves.
But are we doing it for ourselves?
All too often Lent becomes a time to brag; to tell anyone and everyone what it is that we are giving up for Lent and just how hard it is for us. We continually draw attention to our incredible fortitude. We work on ourselves to increase our own sense of spiritual worth.
We try to increase our nearness to God, so that we can look down on others from a loftier height.
Georges Boujakly over at Missional Order posted something a few years back that really made me think.
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?
See, the work that we allow the Spirit to do in our lives is not for ourselves, but for others. It is a way we allow God's goodness to overflow to the world. It is a way we show that we are being renewed in the image of God; the God who shines his light on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.
I think this is a really good definition of spiritual formation. One that helps us stay focused on the reasons God is renewing us in the first place. We are being conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others.
So, this Lent, as you reflect on your life and your relationship with God and others ask yourself this question.
What does God need to do in my life, to make the lives of those around me better?