Spiritual Transformation: Part 3

So, that last post about telling my own story? Got me wondering as I was writing it. Isn't my story, your story, the telling of our "discipleship" process?

It's interesting that sometimes the language, the vocabulary we get so accustomed to causes us to miss what's really happening right in front of us.

For instance, when someone tells their story I almost always hear some or all of these factors:

• Their life experience - good and bod. But, always specific stuff they wrestled with and/or celebrated.
• Intentional steps they've taken. Practice they've engaged. Like, getting to church. Reading the Bible. Praying. Quiet walks. A retreat. A class. Baptism.
• What they heard, understood, got for the first time. Often from teaching. Sometimes from the arts or even a conversation.
• Other people. Relationships.
• How they see others. Often about serving others.

No, discipleship doesn't just happen. But properly understood, it seems there's room to hear and celebrate the discipleship process when we hear someone talk about their journey with God.

Maybe a key factor in the spiritual transformation - discipleship - is more and more of us pointing out what we see God doing in each other's stories:

• "Seems like you took a great step there."
• "How'd that experience influence the way you understand God?"
• "Is that a practice that you'll create more time for? It seems to have really had a positive impact on you."
• "When you share your journey with me, you help me look at my own relationships - with God and others. Thank you."

Seems organic. Relational. Daily.

Hmmm...