Spirituality
Spirituality is a broad concept with many perspectives in today’s culture. Christian spirituality has to do with ones relationship with God, developed over time through experience and study. Spirituality has often been described as ones search for the sacred and involves the search for ones purpose in life. At Transformation of the Heart, we believe we were created in the image of God, and therefore all our lives we long to connect to our Creator and to our purpose as He has imagined it to be for us.
As we connect more and more to the God who loves us, we are transformed into the image of Christ. This is not just for our own sense of goodness and delight, but we believe it is for the goodness of others—for the world—as taught to us in Scripture:
“He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Micah 6:8
Spiritual formation can go through many stages of development and maturation throughout our lives. Bible study, worship, prayer, service, and community are examples of how one is formed in their spiritual journey. Transformation of the Heart exists to create safe spaces for individuals to explore their spirituality, to be seen and heard, to practice new and time-tested ways to experience God, and to be encouraged on the road to spiritual transformation.
Flourishing
The conscious pursuit of flourishing and resilience for the person in spiritual direction must be prioritized. While there will always be problems and obstacles to overcome, flourishing and resilience are critical for a vibrant life which then can effectively handle problems and obstacles. The Pillar of Flourishing keeps us conscious of the importance of pursuing personal formation.
Flourishing is seen in the contrast between manufacturing and nurturing a living organism. The manufacturing process manipulates lifeless material creating static and lifeless objects. In contrast, flourishing and resilience are living beings’ responses to their environment. The word flourish dates to 14th-century French, drawing from the term for bloom or flower. Flourishing refers to the whole process from seedling to birthing a new seedling. What a great picture for understanding human flourishing. Human flourishing results when spiritual formation and spiritual direction spaces offer: 1) Safety, 2) Loving acceptance, 3) Formational responses, and 4) Expanded and deepening awareness. The resultant flourishing supports healing, formation, transformation, and resilience.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
Psalm 1:2-3
At Transformation of the Heart, we want to create relational spaces fostering flourishing and resilience.
Awareness
Awareness is the means by which we observe, perceive, understand, and engage reality, and is essential to any spiritual formation process. Without accurate awareness, even if it is incomplete, we lack a trustworthy framework for spiritual formation and transformation processes. For example, if my awareness of myself is distorted, my perception of the world will be distorted, affecting my engagement. The same can be said about awareness of God and others, including creation. Awareness is a dynamic process that needs to involve the whole person.
The Bible addresses the concept of awareness, providing insights and examples of awareness where individuals and communities are called to pay attention to themselves, their God, and others. The Bible also reveals awareness as an ongoing process requiring the involvement of the whole person.
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18
Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,
And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.
Psalms 51:6
At Transformation of the Heart, we desire to create spaces and skills for awareness to expand and deepen.
Healing
Just as a plant’s ability to flourish can be hindered by disease, injury, and traumatic experiences, spiritual flourishing is impacted by the same elements. At Transformation of the Heart, we want to create a space and environment for healing and flourishing. While neither Sharon nor Roger is a therapist, we believe in and have experienced Spiritual Direction as a place where effective healing can take place. We offer attentive listening, authenticity, shared stories, curiosity, and focused resources to help heal our images of God, self, and the world and experience the healing balm of unconditional love.
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
Because the Lord has anointed me
To bring good news to the afflicted,
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to captives
And freedom to prisoners;
To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord . . .
To comfort all who mourn . . .
Giving them a garland instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning,
The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.
So they will be called oaks of righteousness.
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
Isaiah 61:1-3