The Formula for Spiritual Growth

Most people love a formula.

Do this. Do that. And you’ll get this.

Simple. No mystery. No strain. No unpredictability.

We want a formula for dating, marriage, work, community, church, sports, and especially for our spiritual lives.

Two cups of Bible. One half teaspoon of sermons. Three tablespoons of unsalted community. Stir in devotional book. Evenly pray pan. Preheat to 350 degrees of worship. Let stand for two mission trips.

It sounds a little complicated, sure, but wouldn’t it be nice? We’d at least be in control this way.

But I have bad news.

There’s no formula. No recipe. No exacts.

Certainly, there are requisite ingredients. Sound doctrine. Wisdom. Spiritual disciplines. But a formula? A program? Fat chance.

Why? Because God isn’t baking a cake. He’s baking unique you. He’s not making a clone army. He’s displaying his infinite beauty across a sea of people. He’s re-creating the marred imago dei in us.

If you press for a formula, you’ll go nuts. If you return to an old well, you may be disappointed. If you try to mimic another, prepare for discomfort.

So what’s the solution?

Dependency. Embrace the journey. Walk humbly before your God. He will show you the way.

There is no other way that I know.