Two ideas came to my mind: my spiritual formation at home as a child and the exposure to other Christians who portray Christianity as a way of life encompassing every endeavor of their lives. They were White American missionaries who built medical infrastructures, schools, and churches in my hometown, Saint-Louis Du Nord, in Haiti.
As a child, my mother woke me up around 5 o’clock every morning for a prayer meeting. One morning, she had me and my cousin-brother Franck memorize Psalm 3. At this time, I had no clue and was not interested in the content of this Psalm at all. Questions like these surfaced in my mind, “Who on earth would spend their time criticizing a ten-year-old child?” “What possible enemy does a ten-year-old boy have?” Nobody has time for that, I reasoned quietly. Nevertheless, praying at this stage of life was nothing but a seed that has helped my heart grow. My mother was my first spiritual mentor.
Christ-like missionaries and their impact
The Christian American mission in my hometown had me question my understanding of Christianity early in life as a child. I tried to understand how foreigners can come to a foreign country and live in their faith in ways that impact the entire region. People are coming from all surrounding areas to benefit from medical care, seminaries of formation, schools, orphanages, internships, sports, elder and children ministries, spiritual formation activities, nutrition programs, and so forth. My wife always tells me about her career choice of becoming a medical Doctor, which was instilled in her after visiting their clinic while she was just a child. In my case, becoming who I am today has much to do with these missionaries. I am grateful.
Yes! That was indeed a different Christianity for me. Before I knew it, my friends and I started skipping our home church (read our Parent’s church) to attend the American Mission Church on Sunday mornings. There, the worship and sermons were what we were dreaming of as children. This is a rich experience that I sometimes refer to when reflecting on everything that I’ve seen and experienced so far on my faith journey. I saw joy among them. I encountered peace regardless of the most difficult of circumstances. I experienced love despite the language barrier at this time. I saw that God was alive in the hearts of the wealthy and the poor. The children of the Missionaries were genuine, and you could sense where they got that from -their parents. The experience changed me.
Hence, my spiritual walk combines experiences from early to adulthood. Throughout this journey, some experiences opened my horizons to the strengths and weaknesses, values, culture, understanding, and application of the Scriptures of these different avenues of faith. The Key Word here is “application” because values, culture, and strengths emerge from it. Apostle John stresses the importance of applying the Word to avoid being called a liar.
The journey continues …
My spiritual walk did not stop in my childhood (though I sometimes missed the children’s innocence, vulnerability, and spontaneity –this is key to living a creative life). Later, navigating the different Christian doctrines and studying under the tutelage of faithful men of God has tremendously changed my views, thoughts, and personal relationship with God and, most of all, shaped my character. In the process, I pay more attention to my spiritual development. Spiritual growth is not something the believer can hide. As Bishop Gregory Toussaint of Tabernacle of Glory would say, “Spiritual growth is noticeable,” and “Spiritual growth in a person’s life looks like whenever you notice a change in the person’s way of speaking; his word choice and mindset are different,” he would add. And he is right. My life has drastically changed, and my spiritual growth has been evident in the last decade. Bishop Greg’s ministry has impacted me and propelled me to reach higher. I am now serving God not only with my body and soul but also with my mind (I’ll explore what it means to serve God with your mind in another article if it is God’s Will). Thus, it is safe to assume that every believer, as God’s image bearer, is called to show spiritual growth.
Among the doctrines that have struck me the most is the doctrine of anthropology, precisely Imago Dei. Although it seems not to play a big part in the whole Scripture, Imago Dei is, in my view, one of the essential doctrines that have implications in every other view, ideology, philosophy, and belief system.
I am imago Dei
Imago Dei is of capital importance in shaping the society narrative within the different spheres of engagement. In politics, “What values do we recall when voting for a candidate?” In technology, “Should humans comply with using any technology that goes against their faith?” In religion, “In what ways can religion handicap the full development of men as the image of God?”
These are real questions that I think about when I study the doctrine of Imago Dei. And I must do that because, as St Basil puts it, “We are satisfied to know the sky rather than ourselves. Do not despise the wonder that is in you. You are small in your reckoning, but the Word will disclose that you are great.” Knowing who I am and what it is to be created in God’s image and likeness is not a simple event in a person’s life but a radical transformation that often follows through. Therefore, I am grateful for exploring more bottomless Genesis 1:27 in ways I have not considered before.
Imago Dei in Basil’s View
Basil’s view on the image of God helps me better understand the difference between “Created in the image of God and “Created in the likeness of God.” I never considered this. It makes sense to me from a biblical perspective because, on many different occasions, Apostles Paul and Peter challenge the body of Christ to reflect on the characters of our heavenly Father by stretching to become just like Him. “But as the One having called you is holy, be holy yourselves also in all your conduct” (1Peter 1:15); “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2) -emphasis added.
Having the proper knowledge of the Imago Dei and the character traits that come along with it, I am now focusing on this forward momentum, not deceitfulness, to live to the standards of the image of God.
Spiritual Intimacy
Also, the account of creation has a new sense to me. Knowing that I am God’s image bearer, I find my true identity, but I am also connected to other human beings who are also part of the world; for the rest of my life, it gives me a sense of stewardship and responsibility towards God and my neighbors, Reflecting on the Imago Dei in others, some verses flash into my mind. These verses happen to be Jesus’s greatest commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:344-40).
Why is it vital for me to reflect daily on Jesus’ answers to the Pharisees? In context, Jesus addressed someone considered an expert in the law. Yet, as the Pharisees, I can often be more focused on dealing with the commandments that deal with my relationship with God while neglecting my relationship with people.
Dealing with people requires love for neighbors and a need for personal spiritual hygiene. As the image of God, I want to function correctly. Plantinga puts it this way, “A spiritual, hygienic person is someone who combines strengths and flexibilities, disciplines and freedoms, all working together from a renewable source of vitality.” As the image of God, I like to set my mind as far forward as possible on the things that God values and live my purpose with joy. I want to flourish within God’s purposes.
Spiritual disciplines and growth
It is important to mention that “Spiritual formation is the slowest motion in life,” as Dr. Coe says. I could witness how my life has considerably changed, and my prayer life has grown significantly since I started this journey with that mindset. Although I cannot capture the shift, I notice the progress I have made during different phases. Things that used to constitute a spiritual wall for me no longer are a big deal, or if they are, I consider them as only a season in my life, a specific season called the plateau. However, the bottom line is it is not my time in prayer that changes me; it is God who uses that time. Daily devotion, Lectio Divina, fasting, and other spiritual disciplines can become legalistic if not careful. Remember, it’s not that we become Christ-like by doing devotion daily or practicing flawless spiritual discipline. We become Christ-like by depending on and having our eyes on God and God alone.
Prayer is not a place to be perfect
Thus, my first preoccupation is communicating regularly with the Lord, no matter the situation. Before, I was more concerned with immediate solutions and tended to think that such a situation had persisted because of my lack of faith. Now, I understand that I need to know that the Lord is here in my spiritual journey and move things in ways that will benefit me later.
I hope my prayer life becomes more and more intense from now on. I realize that I have kept more or less a spiritual discipline that enables me to maintain a relationship with God. Another thing I notice in my prayer life is the openness about my talk to God. I have also kept Dr. Coe’s words in my life, “Prayer is not a place to be perfect but a place to be honest.“ God answers honest prayers, not flawless prayers. Someone who knows their shortcomings and acknowledges them in prayer will find the strength to overcome them.
But don’t get me wrong, though. I am not saying that making efforts to be available in prayer is terrible, but now I am more concerned about the right motives. Taking the time to examine my motives, even in my spiritual endeavors, is very important to me. Doing what I am doing for the right reasons, not for comparison, because if my prayer life leads me to brag about my performance, it follows that I would try to hold on through this kind of routine even when it is exhausting, which could be described as self-pity. It would also be works of the flesh if my routine efforts were based on my idea and not what God directs me to do. A word that God speaks to my heart that is agreeable with the Spirit of the Bible. I want to make sure that I am not abusing my own body under the excuse of prayer. Most of the time, God is more concerned about our health than we are because He has already provided us with a break from the situation. And in case I am exhausted, not praying will fix anything but listening to God’s voice.
Another spiritual practice I like is Lectio Divina. Anything that has to do with developing my spiritual life -in a theological context- is a way to mature in Christ. Therefore, I am now exercising my gifts so that every rhythm, activity, and discipline is synchronized with my rule of life in general. The four rhythms that Scazzero, in his book, “The Emotionally Healthy Leader,” describe, Prayer, Rest, Relationship, and Work, can be put together to form a life balance. In other words, I go by what Kyle Strobel says, “Setting your mind as far forward as possible provides for greater perspective.” Strobel’s statement echoes Matthew 5:12 in that it enables me to connect with essential activities in my timesheet and not on futile activities that have a lesser impact or, worse, activities that create an imbalance in my life.
Keep growing
Therefore, I like the idea of Todd W. Hall (Relational Spirituality), who says, “Practical or experiential knowledge was viewed as the foundational way of knowing for theology and the Christian life. Early theologians certainly engaged in intellectual reflection, but this was viewed as intrinsically connected to prayer, loving God, and … Intellectual reflection was not pursued for its own sake; rather, it was pursued for the primary purpose of experimental knowledge of God, which is to say, growth in one’s capacity to love God and others.” My intention is, therefore, to keep the rhythms of prayer and the spiritual disciplines I have developed for a lifetime are not intended to consider the exercises in my spiritual journey as just momentaneous but to use my vocation as profoundly anchored in a holistic approach to my prayer life as Imago Dei.
