Transformation though Illumination…

In my reading on spiritual formation I’ve continually come across the concept that spiritual disciplines serve as a catalyst for change: as we engage in spiritual disciplines things which are right below the surface are exposed. We live from these habits, thought patterns and beliefs but hardly recognize their presence. So, in fasting the anger and fear and addiction to comfort are suddenly exposed by our choice to pray instead of feast. Through all, the Holy Spirit works with us to transform and heal these areas (see Dallas Willard’s Spirit of the Disciplines or Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline)

My time in Rome has extended my understanding of this reality, especially our living in community. Our group of 6 (3 guys, 3 girls; one married couple) lives in about 900 sq. ft. on the 7th floor of an apartment in Testaccio (a very Roman area of town). Our first week and a half has been spent primarily in this group of 6: eating together, praying for and with one another, confessing as we injure each other… Micah and I even sleep on a hideaway couch!

I am amazed that even this short time of community living has illuminated some of my destructive everyday habits. I’ve walked into a bright room and am exposed. Through the grace and boldness of my community, I’ve come to recognize these habits and realize they no longer make sense to life in the Kingdom of God.

This appears to be the way of Jesus: illumination and integration into the present Kingdom of God. Jesus declares that the Kingdom of God is right here, right among us, available to be lived in. It is a Kingdom of Goodness, of Love, of Hope, of Abundance and Overflow. As He invites us to be apart of this Kingdom, this right and good way of living, He also teaches us how to live within. There are moments when we attempt to live from our old way and frankly it doesn’t work; it doesn’t make sense to our life in the Kingdom of God. So we let go of the old way and embrace the new, so that we may more fully live the eternal life.


‘In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.’ John 1


In this illumination there is transformation.