Spirit-Formed Strength and Power

In recent years, I have drawn on Ephesians 3:14-19 as a framework for spiritual formation when teaching or leading discussions about spiritual practices and rhythms. I love the seemingly dissonant language that reflects the holy tension Christ holds and invites us to embody. We read about the strength, power, and riches of God’s glory in parallel with hearts that make a home of Christ, deep roots of love, and holy community. 

These days, words like strength, power, and riches seem to carry complicated meaning. There are some who grasp onto these words as goals to achieve, no matter the cost to anyone else. And yet, these are words used to describe God and the Christian life.

I can swim in the waters of rooted love and grounded people all day long. But can power and strength go hand in hand with this Christ-like love and life together? They do, and they must if we are to walk the faithful path of Jesus.

I stumbled into spiritual formation in 2018 when I went searching for a continuing education program that would enhance the work I was doing as a pastor. I also felt a deep longing to go further into the mysteries of faith. I had a lot of questions – and I wanted to explore the answers. I ended up encountering more questions than answers, but what I did receive was permission to have curiosity and the encouragement to live in such a way that helped me see what Jesus was up to around me.

However, as I leaned into this newfound way of articulating what I knew as sanctification in the Bible (becoming more like Christ through the power and presence of the Spirit), when I said words like “formation” to describe my studies or work to others, I often got the sense that my descriptions fell flat, these ways of listening and being that are embedded in the DNA of our faith and have been forming the people of God for quite literally millennia, were met with confusion. Or it was understood but fell into the category of ‘soft’ disciplines, sitting in a corner with Jesus and praying while others did the real work of ministry, justice and engagement with the public.

Some of the strongest people I know are dedicated to contemplative practices and the work of spiritual formation. Not because the practices themselves have the power to dispense resilience, but rather because the very Spirit of Jesus invites them into postures of listening, being, and thoughtfully doing – and they say yes to this invitation.

We need the mind of Christ, the presence of the Spirit, and the love of God to transform us – this is spiritual formation – so that we can be strong and powerful in ways that counter the destructive uses of those traits in our world. The deep inner strength that we receive when we engage in contemplative practices helps us to hold tension with grace, really listen to stories so that we can understand, and to have a vision for when and how to walk in our unique faithfulness.

Ephesians closes with Paul’s words to be strong in the Lord and to put on the armor of God. Perhaps, like me, you cannot read these words without thinking of a Sunday School lesson teaching you about the belt of truth or breastplate of righteousness. We could get lost in the battle imagery and all its complex layers for us as readers, and those are matters worth considering. And, when I read this text, I pause at this part: “As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15).

Strong people are people of peace, and people of peace must have strength. What are the spiritual practices that make you ready to be peace in this world? We have been gifted lately with blog posts about slowing down, noticing, and resting. What if this is our spiritual work, one that makes us strong with genuine, Christ-like, compassionate strength? And what if this same spiritual work, the work of rest, surrender, lingering, and receiving, is what gives us power to hear the Spirit’s voice and to bear witness to how that same Spirit is inviting us and others into a life of freedom. What joy!

Today, I am giving thanks for these simple rhythms that have recently returned me to the Spirit’s gentleness, love, and yes, also, strength and power:

• Walking my dog in the early Fall sunshine
• Taking time to make a meal shared with family
• Lingering with scripture in the morning
• Breathing deeply
• Giving thanks for small moments of joy

“O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and in rest we shall be saved, and in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: by the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – J.W. Suter, 1890