Spiritual Formation Is Counter-Formation

Arise Conference 2024 in Normal, IL - Photo by Young Yi

I remember hearing John Mark Comer teaching this idea that “spiritual formation is counter-formation” at “The Art of Teaching” conference in 2022, while describing the vastness of what spiritual formation is as we follow the Way of Jesus. It’s a beautiful way to understand this area of Christian theology/ideology/discipleship. This Youtube video is well worth the 3 minutes, if you want a short and yet comprehensive definition of what spiritual formation is.

A Helpful Grid

This idea of “spiritual formation is counter-formation” has been a helpful grid to place my literal schedule (the “rhythms of my life”) through. If you ever want a preliminary look at the person you are becoming, just take a quick look at your calendar and see what takes up the bulk of your week. Most of us have our weeks filled with work or school, which means they are the primary grounds to where most of our formation is occurring. What is that like for you? Do you see yourself becoming more like Jesus at work or school? How can you take this idea of “spiritual formation is counter-formation,” and then examine your life and push against the forces that would aim to deform and malform you from the likeness of Jesus?

For example, in my life, I have shifted my days off from work to be on Fridays and Saturdays. Why? Because I recently read a study showing that pastors suffer from a post-adrenaline depression when they completely pause on any work when they take Mondays off after a full day of ministry the day before.¹ If post-adrenaline depression is what awaits me on the other side of taking Mondays off, then to counter that, I moved my day off to Friday and do a little bit of work on Mondays, even though Sundays are so packed and busy. Which means Thursdays are my busiest days and then the day tapers off as the day winds down.

Again, spiritual formation is counter-formation.

One question I ask myself as I look at my calendar is, “will the rhythm of this week make me gentle like Jesus or harsh and annoyed, unlike Jesus?” Oftentimes, cramming our weeks with people to meet or tasks and projects to complete will lead us to feel rushed, in a hurry, harsh towards others and annoyed at ourselves. The opposite is true too: completely removing things to do from your week actually won’t make you gentle, but lazy. There is indeed a difference. Gentleness is something our schedules can help cultivate in our lives when there is a healthy ebb and flow of work and rest, alone-time and social activity, and reading the world and the Word.

Home - Photo by Young Yi

Let’s Have, Gentle Days

How can you incorporate this idea into your daily and weekly rhythm? Who have you become with the current rhythm of life you have right now? If you find certain areas of your life that do not reflect the character, heart, and actions of Jesus Christ, take a look at your calendar and ask yourself if you have the margin in your week to listen to Jesus’ teachings, practice His Way of living, and spend time with like-minded disciples of Jesus.

And as you look at that calendar, ask yourself, “am I becoming gentle?”, because don’t forget, gentleness and lowliness are what Jesus’ heart was like.

1. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0849904358?creative=9325&creativeASIN=0849904358&linkId=1a93255a652013528e1d0c2ef8874d02