Spiritual Formation

Each fall brings a few million new students to campus in the U.S., and the transition to college is one of the great hallmarks of life in our culture. Or, to put it more colloquially, it’s freakin’ crazy. In fact, here's an ode written especially for that experience we all know as Freshman Move-In Day...

Inherently, we know that the act of breathing, blinking, existing isn’t enough. We were made for more. We want to feel alive. And whether we’re aware of it or not, the way we go about our lives shows what kinds of things we believe will give us life.

Our hope is ultimately secure in the concrete future of Jesus returning to make all things new. But what do we do with the smaller stories of our lives? 

It’s not just the outer world that can leave us feeling like life is a dumpster fire. There are all the struggles in our personal lives we can’t just turn off with a push of a button.

Our social skills are rusty, and our emotional tanks are empty. At the same time, we’ve developed a sharpened awareness of the vitality of forging those friendships. So how do we do it?

Following Jesus’ example is the best way to help others: we need to go away by ourselves for prayer and quality time with God.

In a season like this, it can seem hard to believe that spiritual growth is possible. But this is when we need it the most.

COVID, a lack of in-person relationships, the ongoing realities of racism, patriarchy, income disparity, and climate change — the world can feel like a dumpster fire. Scary to watch from a distance but devastating when you’re standing in the middle of it.

As we approach Holy Week, Christ’s death and resurrection reminds me that he has given us access to his abiding peace, to the hope of eternal life, and to victory over sin and death. But how are we to live into this?

Have you ever thought about what the word “blessing” really means? It’s said all the time in Christian circles. And it kinda make sense. But at the same time, it feels like something’s missing . . .