Why You Feel Spiritually Stuck

This past week, my wife and I bought a This past week, my wife and I bought a thousandpiece puzzle and started putting thousandpiece puzzle and started putting thousandpiece puzzle and started putting it together. So, when you get a puzzle, it together. So, when you get a puzzle, it together. So, when you get a puzzle, if you've ever done that before, the if you've ever done that before, the if you've ever done that before, the first thing you do is you find those first thing you do is you find those first thing you do is you find those flat pieces, right? Those are the easy flat pieces, right? Those are the easy flat pieces, right? Those are the easy ones, and you construct a a border, ones, and you construct a a border, ones, and you construct a a border, right? You got to have boundaries in right? You got to have boundaries in right? You got to have boundaries in which to put together your puzzle. And which to put together your puzzle. And which to put together your puzzle. And this particular puzzle, by the way, was this particular puzzle, by the way, was this particular puzzle, by the way, was a painting of some of the homes, the old a painting of some of the homes, the old a painting of some of the homes, the old homes in Newport, Rhode Island. So, you homes in Newport, Rhode Island. So, you homes in Newport, Rhode Island. So, you had houses, you had a little bit of the had houses, you had a little bit of the had houses, you had a little bit of the ocean, you had the sky that looked ocean, you had the sky that looked ocean, you had the sky that looked exactly like the ocean and the white exactly like the ocean and the white exactly like the ocean and the white clouds, and you had the little people clouds, and you had the little people clouds, and you had the little people all around the flowers, and it was a all around the flowers, and it was a all around the flowers, and it was a nice scene. nice scene. nice scene. And so, little by little, piece by And so, little by little, piece by And so, little by little, piece by piece, we started putting the puzzle piece, we started putting the puzzle piece, we started putting the puzzle together. And as it got towards the end together. And as it got towards the end together. And as it got towards the end of the puzzle, we started looking. Do we of the puzzle, we started looking. Do we of the puzzle, we started looking. Do we have enough pieces? have enough pieces? have enough pieces? Has someone snuck in, stole a couple of Has someone snuck in, stole a couple of Has someone snuck in, stole a couple of pieces so they can kind of come in and pieces so they can kind of come in and pieces so they can kind of come in and be the hero? You know you are, and tried be the hero? You know you are, and tried be the hero? You know you are, and tried to finish out the puzzle. So we got down to finish out the puzzle. So we got down to finish out the puzzle. So we got down there, and there were like five pieces there, and there were like five pieces there, and there were like five pieces missing. So we started looking on the missing. So we started looking on the missing. So we started looking on the floor. There was a piece. Look on the floor. There was a piece. Look on the floor. There was a piece. Look on the chair. Boom. And we found all pieces chair. Boom. And we found all pieces chair. Boom. And we found all pieces except, you guessed it, one. One except, you guessed it, one. One except, you guessed it, one. One missing piece. One missing piece.

missing piece. One missing piece. missing piece. One missing piece. Easy analogy. Easy analogy. Easy analogy. You've heard it before. Life is like a You've heard it before. Life is like a You've heard it before. Life is like a giant jigsaw puzzle, isn't it? Because giant jigsaw puzzle, isn't it? Because giant jigsaw puzzle, isn't it? Because in life you you have all these events, in life you you have all these events, in life you you have all these events, people, people, people, challenges, challenges, challenges, disappointments, fears, pain, and you're disappointments, fears, pain, and you're disappointments, fears, pain, and you're wondering how does that piece wondering how does that piece wondering how does that piece of the puzzle fit in to the big picture of the puzzle fit in to the big picture of the puzzle fit in to the big picture of my life? And sometimes when you're of my life? And sometimes when you're of my life? And sometimes when you're putting things together, you're putting things together, you're putting things together, you're wondering, well, what is that missing wondering, well, what is that missing wondering, well, what is that missing piece? Or who has that missing piece? piece? Or who has that missing piece? piece? Or who has that missing piece? God's word gives us a clue. I believe a God's word gives us a clue. I believe a God's word gives us a clue. I believe a big clue to what is the missing piece in big clue to what is the missing piece in big clue to what is the missing piece in a lot of our lives here today. We're a lot of our lives here today. We're a lot of our lives here today. We're going to find out what it is starting going to find out what it is starting going to find out what it is starting today in the next several Sundays. Look today in the next several Sundays. Look today in the next several Sundays. Look at Galatians. If you have a Bible, open at Galatians. If you have a Bible, open at Galatians. If you have a Bible, open to Galatians chapter 4 verse 18 to Galatians chapter 4 verse 18 to Galatians chapter 4 verse 18 following. If you remember back when we following. If you remember back when we following. If you remember back when we studied Galatians, Galatians is about a studied Galatians, Galatians is about a studied Galatians, Galatians is about a church who had forgotten.

church who had forgotten. church who had forgotten. They had forgotten They had forgotten They had forgotten what brought them what brought them what brought them hope. They had forgotten what brought hope. They had forgotten what brought hope. They had forgotten what brought them strength. They had forgotten what them strength. They had forgotten what them strength. They had forgotten what had brought them into a loved had brought them into a loved had brought them into a loved relationship with God. And that was relationship with God. And that was relationship with God. And that was grace. grace. grace. Grace. Grace. Grace. Paul was mad. He was angry. He's like, Paul was mad. He was angry. He's like, Paul was mad. He was angry. He's like, "You foolish Galatians. You foolish "You foolish Galatians. You foolish "You foolish Galatians. You foolish Eustonians. Eustonians. Eustonians. You started your relationship with God You started your relationship with God You started your relationship with God by grace and now you're going to finish by grace and now you're going to finish by grace and now you're going to finish it by your own effort. it by your own effort. it by your own effort. Then he goes on in verse 18 and talks Then he goes on in verse 18 and talks Then he goes on in verse 18 and talks about that missing piece. He says this, about that missing piece. He says this, about that missing piece. He says this, "However, it's always good to have "However, it's always good to have "However, it's always good to have people concerned about you with good people concerned about you with good people concerned about you with good intentions, intentions, intentions, not just when I'm there with you." Verse not just when I'm there with you." Verse not just when I'm there with you." Verse 19. My little children, I'm going 19. My little children, I'm going 19. My little children, I'm going through labor pains again until Christ through labor pains again until Christ through labor pains again until Christ is formed in you.

I love this verse. I love this verse. I give Paul a hearty amen. As a fellow I give Paul a hearty amen. As a fellow I give Paul a hearty amen. As a fellow pastor, I labor. We labor until Christ pastor, I labor. We labor until Christ pastor, I labor. We labor until Christ is formed in you. Until he grows in you is formed in you. Until he grows in you is formed in you. Until he grows in you and grows in your marriage and grows in and grows in your marriage and grows in and grows in your marriage and grows in your family and grows in your friendship your family and grows in your friendship your family and grows in your friendship and grows in your work relationships. and grows in your work relationships. and grows in your work relationships. That is what we labor for That is what we labor for That is what we labor for is Christ continually is Christ continually is Christ continually transforming changing changing your life. your life. your life. The missing piece The missing piece The missing piece for many of us, I can say it was for me for many of us, I can say it was for me for many of us, I can say it was for me for a while, is the missing piece of for a while, is the missing piece of for a while, is the missing piece of spiritual spiritual spiritual formation. formation. formation. Spiritual Spiritual Spiritual formation. formation. formation. Now maybe wondering what in the world is Now maybe wondering what in the world is Now maybe wondering what in the world is spiritual formation.

spiritual formation. spiritual formation. I thought the same thing. First 14 years I thought the same thing. First 14 years I thought the same thing. First 14 years of my Christian life. I didn't know of my Christian life. I didn't know of my Christian life. I didn't know anything about it. Then someone gave me anything about it. Then someone gave me anything about it. Then someone gave me a book called a celebration of a book called a celebration of a book called a celebration of discipline discipline discipline by Richard by Richard by Richard Foster. Celebration of discipline. How Foster. Celebration of discipline. How Foster. Celebration of discipline. How many of you have read a celebration of many of you have read a celebration of many of you have read a celebration of discipline? Raise your hand high so I discipline? Raise your hand high so I discipline? Raise your hand high so I can see him. A few of us have read that can see him. A few of us have read that can see him. A few of us have read that book. Okay. Richard Foster comes from a book. Okay. Richard Foster comes from a book. Okay. Richard Foster comes from a Quaker background. And he writes in that Quaker background. And he writes in that Quaker background. And he writes in that book about certain disciplines, certain book about certain disciplines, certain book about certain disciplines, certain practices you need to have in your life practices you need to have in your life practices you need to have in your life to grow deeper in Christ forming his to grow deeper in Christ forming his to grow deeper in Christ forming his life inside of you. A disciple of life inside of you. A disciple of life inside of you. A disciple of Richard Foster was a guy by the name of Richard Foster was a guy by the name of Richard Foster was a guy by the name of Dallas Willard. Dallas Willard was a Dallas Willard. Dallas Willard was a Dallas Willard. Dallas Willard was a philosopher at the University of philosopher at the University of philosopher at the University of Southern California and he wrote a book Southern California and he wrote a book Southern California and he wrote a book original title called the spirit of the original title called the spirit of the original title called the spirit of the disciplines. Okay. And he talked further disciplines. Okay. And he talked further disciplines. Okay. And he talked further about what his mentor had let out in about what his mentor had let out in about what his mentor had let out in that first book. And then later a guy by that first book. And then later a guy by that first book. And then later a guy by the name of Robert Mullholland wrote a the name of Robert Mullholland wrote a the name of Robert Mullholland wrote a book called uh a a journey or an book called uh a a journey or an book called uh a a journey or an invitation to journey where he talks invitation to journey where he talks invitation to journey where he talks more about spiritual formation. So maybe more about spiritual formation. So maybe more about spiritual formation. So maybe you're wondering what is spiritual you're wondering what is spiritual you're wondering what is spiritual formation? Spiritual formation describes formation? Spiritual formation describes formation? Spiritual formation describes the process of how we become more like the process of how we become more like the process of how we become more like Christ.

Christ. Christ. It's a process. It's a process. It's a process. Something or someone is forming you and Something or someone is forming you and Something or someone is forming you and shaping you. You say, "Well, I'm not shaping you. You say, "Well, I'm not shaping you. You say, "Well, I'm not really into spiritual formation. I don't really into spiritual formation. I don't really into spiritual formation. I don't know what that means. It sounds kind of know what that means. It sounds kind of know what that means. It sounds kind of a little weird, a little spooky to me." a little weird, a little spooky to me." a little weird, a little spooky to me." Well, you know, you're being formed by Well, you know, you're being formed by Well, you know, you're being formed by something. You're being formed by the something. You're being formed by the something. You're being formed by the music you listen to or the media you music you listen to or the media you music you listen to or the media you intake or who you follow or what you do intake or who you follow or what you do intake or who you follow or what you do or all that. You're being formed or or all that. You're being formed or or all that. You're being formed or shaped by something. And if you have shaped by something. And if you have shaped by something. And if you have decided to get on board with God in decided to get on board with God in decided to get on board with God in Christ and to become a Christian, a Christ and to become a Christian, a Christ and to become a Christian, a Christ follower, then Christ calls you Christ follower, then Christ calls you Christ follower, then Christ calls you to this life of continual spiritual to this life of continual spiritual to this life of continual spiritual formation. But to do that, you and I formation. But to do that, you and I formation. But to do that, you and I have to develop certain habits, certain have to develop certain habits, certain have to develop certain habits, certain practices, practices, practices, certain rhythms that will be a means by certain rhythms that will be a means by certain rhythms that will be a means by which God's grace can flow into us and which God's grace can flow into us and which God's grace can flow into us and change us into the likeness change us into the likeness change us into the likeness of Christ. of Christ. of Christ. Now, I know in our culture, we're really Now, I know in our culture, we're really Now, I know in our culture, we're really into habits and disciplines. You look at into habits and disciplines. You look at into habits and disciplines. You look at the bestsellers on Amazon, you'll find the bestsellers on Amazon, you'll find the bestsellers on Amazon, you'll find Atomic Habits. You'll find another book Atomic Habits. You'll find another book Atomic Habits. You'll find another book called The Power of Habits. You'll find called The Power of Habits. You'll find called The Power of Habits. You'll find seven habits of highly effective people seven habits of highly effective people seven habits of highly effective people released in 1989.

released in 1989. released in 1989. That shows us that either we want to That shows us that either we want to That shows us that either we want to have good habits or we know the power of have good habits or we know the power of have good habits or we know the power of doing something every day, every week, doing something every day, every week, doing something every day, every week, every month and the results that it'll every month and the results that it'll every month and the results that it'll produce in our life. So for thousands of produce in our life. So for thousands of produce in our life. So for thousands of years, Christ followers have developed years, Christ followers have developed years, Christ followers have developed certain practices, certain disciplines certain practices, certain disciplines certain practices, certain disciplines that has placed him in a position that has placed him in a position that has placed him in a position where they can grow deeper and have more where they can grow deeper and have more where they can grow deeper and have more life change in their relationship with life change in their relationship with life change in their relationship with God. God. God. Now, when we're talking about spiritual Now, when we're talking about spiritual Now, when we're talking about spiritual formation, um I may mention a lot of formation, um I may mention a lot of formation, um I may mention a lot of different authors from different different authors from different different authors from different traditions within the Christian realm. traditions within the Christian realm. traditions within the Christian realm. It doesn't mean I endorse everything It doesn't mean I endorse everything It doesn't mean I endorse everything that author says. I don't endorse that author says. I don't endorse that author says. I don't endorse everything I've said. Okay? So, when everything I've said. Okay? So, when everything I've said. Okay? So, when you're reading and engaging these you're reading and engaging these you're reading and engaging these people, it's like eating fish. Spit out people, it's like eating fish. Spit out people, it's like eating fish. Spit out the bones. get the meat, spit out the the bones. get the meat, spit out the the bones. get the meat, spit out the bones, the stuff that you may or we may bones, the stuff that you may or we may bones, the stuff that you may or we may disagree with. So, there's certain disagree with. So, there's certain disagree with. So, there's certain givens when we're talking about givens when we're talking about givens when we're talking about spiritual formations. Here are some spiritual formations. Here are some spiritual formations. Here are some givens. Um, givens. Um, givens. Um, spiritual formation is Christ spiritual formation is Christ spiritual formation is Christ formation.

formation. formation. It's Christ formation. It's Christ formation. It's Christ formation. The Bible The Bible The Bible from Genesis all the way to Revelation, from Genesis all the way to Revelation, from Genesis all the way to Revelation, the Old Testament and the New Testament the Old Testament and the New Testament the Old Testament and the New Testament is a hymn book. is a hymn book. is a hymn book. It's a hymn book. The Bible's all about It's a hymn book. The Bible's all about It's a hymn book. The Bible's all about him. The Bible's all about Christ. him. The Bible's all about Christ. him. The Bible's all about Christ. Genesis about Christ. Psalms about Genesis about Christ. Psalms about Genesis about Christ. Psalms about Christ. Matthew's about Christ. Christ. Matthew's about Christ. Christ. Matthew's about Christ. Revelations about Christ. The entire Revelations about Christ. The entire Revelations about Christ. The entire book in a sense, the Bible is is is a book in a sense, the Bible is is is a book in a sense, the Bible is is is a menu to lead us into a relationship with menu to lead us into a relationship with menu to lead us into a relationship with Christ. So all spiritual formation is Christ. So all spiritual formation is Christ. So all spiritual formation is Christ formation. All spiritual Christ formation. All spiritual Christ formation. All spiritual formation also too is grace formation. formation also too is grace formation. formation also too is grace formation. Grace formation. Grace formation. Grace formation. It's not like in the next few Sundays It's not like in the next few Sundays It's not like in the next few Sundays we're going to learn some practices, we're going to learn some practices, we're going to learn some practices, some habits, and this is a way you're some habits, and this is a way you're some habits, and this is a way you're climbing up a ladder to heaven. This is climbing up a ladder to heaven. This is climbing up a ladder to heaven. This is a way you're earning God's favor or a way you're earning God's favor or a way you're earning God's favor or earning God's power and presence in your earning God's power and presence in your earning God's power and presence in your life. Doesn't work that way. life. Doesn't work that way. life. Doesn't work that way. These practices that we'll talk about, These practices that we'll talk about, These practices that we'll talk about, this spiritual formation that we're this spiritual formation that we're this spiritual formation that we're going to look at is a means of grace.

going to look at is a means of grace. going to look at is a means of grace. It's a conduit of how gra God's grace in It's a conduit of how gra God's grace in It's a conduit of how gra God's grace in Christ works in your life. Christ works in your life. Christ works in your life. Also a certain given about spiritual Also a certain given about spiritual Also a certain given about spiritual formation is that it is others formation is that it is others formation is that it is others formation. formation. formation. This is not an individualistic This is not an individualistic This is not an individualistic spiritual selfhelp spiritual selfhelp spiritual selfhelp program. How you as an individual though program. How you as an individual though program. How you as an individual though it may help you individually can get it may help you individually can get it may help you individually can get better and quote more spiritual. better and quote more spiritual. better and quote more spiritual. All true spiritual formation is Christ All true spiritual formation is Christ All true spiritual formation is Christ formation. It's grace formation. It's formation. It's grace formation. It's formation. It's grace formation. It's others formation. others formation. others formation. Jesus, what's the greatest commandment Jesus, what's the greatest commandment Jesus, what's the greatest commandment in all the Bible? Love God. He says, in all the Bible? Love God. He says, in all the Bible? Love God. He says, with all your heart, mind, body, soul, with all your heart, mind, body, soul, with all your heart, mind, body, soul, strength, and strength, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. Philippians 2, Christ emptied himself Philippians 2, Christ emptied himself to serve others and to lay down his life to serve others and to lay down his life to serve others and to lay down his life for others. He became obedient for others. He became obedient for others. He became obedient even to death on a cross.

even to death on a cross. even to death on a cross. So spiritual formations is to get us So spiritual formations is to get us So spiritual formations is to get us outside of our self, outside of our outside of our self, outside of our outside of our self, outside of our selfishness, our pride and focus on selfishness, our pride and focus on selfishness, our pride and focus on others needs. It's to help us stop looking down and It's to help us stop looking down and start looking up and out. What else? What else? I I I like what I I I like what I I I like what Dallas Willard said about grace. He Dallas Willard said about grace. He Dallas Willard said about grace. He said, "Spiritual formations, grace is said, "Spiritual formations, grace is said, "Spiritual formations, grace is not opposed to effort. It's opposed to not opposed to effort. It's opposed to not opposed to effort. It's opposed to earning." Isn't that good? earning." Isn't that good? earning." Isn't that good? Just because we're saved by grace, Just because we're saved by grace, Just because we're saved by grace, sanctified by grace, made more like sanctified by grace, made more like sanctified by grace, made more like Christ by grace, doesn't mean that we we Christ by grace, doesn't mean that we we Christ by grace, doesn't mean that we we don't try and strive, but we're not at don't try and strive, but we're not at don't try and strive, but we're not at the same time seeking to earn it. the same time seeking to earn it. the same time seeking to earn it. Spiritual formation teaches us how to Spiritual formation teaches us how to Spiritual formation teaches us how to become more intentional in our become more intentional in our become more intentional in our relationship with God.

relationship with God. relationship with God. So So So the idea that I'm going to grow in my the idea that I'm going to grow in my the idea that I'm going to grow in my knowledge of God, I'm going to grow in knowledge of God, I'm going to grow in knowledge of God, I'm going to grow in experiencing and embodying the life of experiencing and embodying the life of experiencing and embodying the life of Christ in my life. That's going to Christ in my life. That's going to Christ in my life. That's going to happen just passively. I just let go and happen just passively. I just let go and happen just passively. I just let go and let God and I'm just going to kind of let God and I'm just going to kind of let God and I'm just going to kind of put it in cruise control. It doesn't put it in cruise control. It doesn't put it in cruise control. It doesn't work that way. work that way. work that way. It's never worked that way. It's never worked that way. It's never worked that way. God invites us and God gives us many God invites us and God gives us many God invites us and God gives us many tools, if you would, many means to allow tools, if you would, many means to allow tools, if you would, many means to allow his grace to work in our life to his grace to work in our life to his grace to work in our life to transform us. So, as we go through this, transform us. So, as we go through this, transform us. So, as we go through this, we're going to, I think, achieve a we're going to, I think, achieve a we're going to, I think, achieve a greater bit of intentionality greater bit of intentionality greater bit of intentionality in our relationship with God in Christ. in our relationship with God in Christ. in our relationship with God in Christ. Here's what First Timothy 4 says. This Here's what First Timothy 4 says. This Here's what First Timothy 4 says. This is a great passage. It says, "For is a great passage. It says, "For is a great passage. It says, "For physical training is of some value, but physical training is of some value, but physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, godliness has value for all things, godliness has value for all things, holding promise for this present life holding promise for this present life holding promise for this present life and the life to come." and the life to come." and the life to come." So when Paul wrote this, this was in a So when Paul wrote this, this was in a So when Paul wrote this, this was in a time of the great, you know, at least in time of the great, you know, at least in time of the great, you know, at least in the shadow of the great uh Greco the shadow of the great uh Greco the shadow of the great uh Greco philosophers, Aristotle, Plato, uh, philosophers, Aristotle, Plato, uh, philosophers, Aristotle, Plato, uh, Zeno, the Stoic, they had these Zeno, the Stoic, they had these Zeno, the Stoic, they had these gymnasiums where people would come and gymnasiums where people would come and gymnasiums where people would come and they would work out, they would they would work out, they would they would work out, they would exercise, and they would also discuss exercise, and they would also discuss exercise, and they would also discuss philosophy and how to apply it to their philosophy and how to apply it to their philosophy and how to apply it to their lives. So Paul is surfing off this lives. So Paul is surfing off this lives. So Paul is surfing off this cultural trend within the Greco Roman cultural trend within the Greco Roman cultural trend within the Greco Roman world. He's saying, listen, hey, working world. He's saying, listen, hey, working world. He's saying, listen, hey, working out's great. Going to the gym is great out's great. Going to the gym is great out's great. Going to the gym is great but that has temporary value. He says but that has temporary value. He says but that has temporary value. He says spiritual workouts, spiritual

spiritual workouts, spiritual spiritual workouts, spiritual disciplines, spiritual formation is good disciplines, spiritual formation is good disciplines, spiritual formation is good for this life and the life to come. The for this life and the life to come. The for this life and the life to come. The ROI is much greater. ROI is much greater. ROI is much greater. It's much greater. The return on It's much greater. The return on It's much greater. The return on investment look at the value that we investment look at the value that we investment look at the value that we gain. What is that value? He says gain. What is that value? He says gain. What is that value? He says physical training gives us some value. physical training gives us some value. physical training gives us some value. Godliness has value for all things. What Godliness has value for all things. What Godliness has value for all things. What is that value ad? Well, the first value is that value ad? Well, the first value is that value ad? Well, the first value ad is spiritual formation helps you grow ad is spiritual formation helps you grow ad is spiritual formation helps you grow deeper deeper deeper with God. It helps you grow with God. It helps you grow with God. It helps you grow deeper with God. deeper with God. deeper with God. We can't remain in the shallow end of We can't remain in the shallow end of We can't remain in the shallow end of the pool the pool the pool our entire lives. God calls us out into our entire lives. God calls us out into our entire lives. God calls us out into the deep end of the pool the deep end of the pool the deep end of the pool and through spiritual formation and through spiritual formation and through spiritual formation and the transformation that occurs and the transformation that occurs and the transformation that occurs there, God can begin to do a deep work there, God can begin to do a deep work there, God can begin to do a deep work in your heart and in your life.

in your heart and in your life. in your heart and in your life. Now, Now, Now, don't let these misconceptions prevent don't let these misconceptions prevent don't let these misconceptions prevent you from entering into this space of you from entering into this space of you from entering into this space of spiritual formation. spiritual formation. spiritual formation. Sometimes we reason, well, I have so Sometimes we reason, well, I have so Sometimes we reason, well, I have so much going on in my life. I'm so busy. I much going on in my life. I'm so busy. I much going on in my life. I'm so busy. I don't have time for or I've got so many don't have time for or I've got so many don't have time for or I've got so many problems in my life and challenges problems in my life and challenges problems in my life and challenges and things that I don't like. I've got and things that I don't like. I've got and things that I don't like. I've got to get things together before I don't. to get things together before I don't. to get things together before I don't. No, don't do that. No, don't do that. No, don't do that. God is going to use whatever it is God is going to use whatever it is God is going to use whatever it is you're going through as a as a classroom you're going through as a as a classroom you're going through as a as a classroom of transformation. The Bible, first book of the Bible is The Bible, first book of the Bible is Genesis, last book's Revelation. Right Genesis, last book's Revelation. Right Genesis, last book's Revelation. Right in the middle is Psalms, right? And and in the middle is Psalms, right? And and in the middle is Psalms, right? And and Psalms is all about how do I connect Psalms is all about how do I connect Psalms is all about how do I connect with God in the messy middle of my life? with God in the messy middle of my life? with God in the messy middle of my life? In the messy middle. God meets us many In the messy middle. God meets us many In the messy middle. God meets us many times in the messy middle, the times in the messy middle, the times in the messy middle, the complicated middle where we're trying to complicated middle where we're trying to complicated middle where we're trying to put together the pieces of the puzzle we put together the pieces of the puzzle we put together the pieces of the puzzle we can't figure out. He meets us in that can't figure out. He meets us in that can't figure out. He meets us in that messy middle. Psalms is all about messy middle. Psalms is all about messy middle. Psalms is all about pouring out your fears, your desires, pouring out your fears, your desires, pouring out your fears, your desires, your disappointments in the presence of God. It's about in the presence of God. It's about spiritual transformation.

spiritual transformation. spiritual transformation. So take your fear, So take your fear, So take your fear, take your anger, take your anger, take your anger, take your need for approval, take your need for approval, take your need for approval, can take your desire to control can take your desire to control can take your desire to control everything, take your everything, take your everything, take your pride, take your wounds, take pride, take your wounds, take pride, take your wounds, take your grief and brokenness into the your grief and brokenness into the your grief and brokenness into the presence of God and say, "Oh God, may presence of God and say, "Oh God, may presence of God and say, "Oh God, may this messiness, this complication, may this messiness, this complication, may this messiness, this complication, may this be a classroom, a gymnasium where this be a classroom, a gymnasium where this be a classroom, a gymnasium where you're doing a deeper work in my life. Spiritual formation Spiritual formation calls us to the depths with God. calls us to the depths with God. calls us to the depths with God. Spiritual formation also value add. It Spiritual formation also value add. It Spiritual formation also value add. It helps you to be fully present for those helps you to be fully present for those helps you to be fully present for those you love. you love. you love. We live in such a fragmented, distracted We live in such a fragmented, distracted We live in such a fragmented, distracted time time time in our culture. in our culture. in our culture. And if we're going to love God and love And if we're going to love God and love And if we're going to love God and love others and be there for others, we have others and be there for others, we have others and be there for others, we have to be fully present. Spiritual formation to be fully present. Spiritual formation to be fully present. Spiritual formation helps us to do that. Also, spiritual helps us to do that. Also, spiritual helps us to do that. Also, spiritual formation helps us unify the head and formation helps us unify the head and formation helps us unify the head and the heart.

the heart. the heart. We we we live in this moment where we We we we live in this moment where we We we we live in this moment where we split mind and body, head and heart, and split mind and body, head and heart, and split mind and body, head and heart, and we we don't live congruent unified lives we we don't live congruent unified lives we we don't live congruent unified lives as human beings, as people. And I think as human beings, as people. And I think as human beings, as people. And I think spiritual formations helps us to live spiritual formations helps us to live spiritual formations helps us to live with a greater sense of unity inside of with a greater sense of unity inside of with a greater sense of unity inside of ourselves and the way we view the world. Spiritual formation we must be reminded Spiritual formation we must be reminded is not about acquiring more information is not about acquiring more information is not about acquiring more information but experiencing more transformation. but experiencing more transformation. but experiencing more transformation. Transformation. Someone said years ago to me, "One step Someone said years ago to me, "One step of obedience of obedience of obedience is worth a lifetime of knowledge." One moment of transformation in the One moment of transformation in the presence of God is worth a lifetime of presence of God is worth a lifetime of presence of God is worth a lifetime of knowledge. Jesus urges us in John 15 to abide in Jesus urges us in John 15 to abide in him. Abide in him. He is the vine. We him. Abide in him. He is the vine. We him. Abide in him. He is the vine. We are the branches. Apart from him, we can are the branches. Apart from him, we can are the branches. Apart from him, we can do nothing.

do nothing. do nothing. Paul invites us to be transformed. How? Paul invites us to be transformed. How? Paul invites us to be transformed. How? Romans 12:2, by the renewing of our Romans 12:2, by the renewing of our Romans 12:2, by the renewing of our minds. Spiritual Spiritual formation. Spiritual formation Spiritual formation is God inviting us is God inviting us is God inviting us to experience to experience to experience more more more of him, of him, of him, more more more of his grace of his grace of his grace if we're willing to listen if we're willing to listen if we're willing to listen and follow strong after him. The past several weeks, I've enjoyed The past several weeks, I've enjoyed watching the World Cup. watching the World Cup. watching the World Cup. Not a really big soccer guy, but I' I've Not a really big soccer guy, but I' I've Not a really big soccer guy, but I' I've been wa I watched more soccer in the been wa I watched more soccer in the been wa I watched more soccer in the last two weeks than I have in my entire last two weeks than I have in my entire last two weeks than I have in my entire life. How many of you watched the World life. How many of you watched the World life. How many of you watched the World Cup? Raise your hand. World Cup. Yeah. Cup? Raise your hand. World Cup. Yeah. Cup? Raise your hand. World Cup. Yeah. Yeah. Look at this. Soccer fans all of a Yeah. Look at this. Soccer fans all of a Yeah. Look at this. Soccer fans all of a sudden here.

Now, there are a lot of things about Now, there are a lot of things about soccer I don't understand. soccer I don't understand. soccer I don't understand. I don't understand why the clock goes up I don't understand why the clock goes up I don't understand why the clock goes up instead of goes down. I don't understand instead of goes down. I don't understand instead of goes down. I don't understand when the GAME'S OVER, THE GAME'S OVER. when the GAME'S OVER, THE GAME'S OVER. when the GAME'S OVER, THE GAME'S OVER. OH, NO, NO, NO, it's not over. OH, NO, NO, NO, it's not over. OH, NO, NO, NO, it's not over. Plus 4, plus 10. I don't, you know, Plus 4, plus 10. I don't, you know, Plus 4, plus 10. I don't, you know, I don't understand why every 5 seconds I don't understand why every 5 seconds I don't understand why every 5 seconds someone goes on the ground and goes holds her shin and then within seconds holds her shin and then within seconds they're up and they're better again. I I they're up and they're better again. I I they're up and they're better again. I I don't It's like there's some kind of don't It's like there's some kind of don't It's like there's some kind of faith healer there or something. I don't faith healer there or something. I don't faith healer there or something. I don't know. It's But here's what I've enjoyed the most But here's what I've enjoyed the most about soccer. It's not what's happened about soccer. It's not what's happened about soccer. It's not what's happened on the field. It's what's happened off on the field. It's what's happened off on the field. It's what's happened off the field. And I'll just pick a little the field. And I'll just pick a little the field. And I'll just pick a little bit on the Europeans if I can. So, you bit on the Europeans if I can. So, you bit on the Europeans if I can. So, you have all these Europeans that have have all these Europeans that have have all these Europeans that have flooded to the United States in the last flooded to the United States in the last flooded to the United States in the last several weeks, right? And all they've several weeks, right? And all they've several weeks, right? And all they've known their entire life, the only known their entire life, the only known their entire life, the only information and data they've received, information and data they've received, information and data they've received, news they received about America and news they received about America and news they received about America and Americans is negative. It's all Americans is negative. It's all Americans is negative. It's all negative. It's Americans hate each negative. It's Americans hate each negative. It's Americans hate each other. Americans are bigots. Americans other. Americans are bigots. Americans other. Americans are bigots. Americans are this or that and that and they don't are this or that and that and they don't are this or that and that and they don't get along and it's a terrible country get along and it's a terrible country get along and it's a terrible country and they're shooting people in the and they're shooting people in the and they're shooting people in the streets and they're riots and blah blah streets and they're riots and blah blah streets and they're riots and blah blah blah blah all this stuff. And they are blah blah all this stuff. And they are blah blah all this stuff. And they are experiencing America for the first time experiencing America for the first time experiencing America for the first time and their minds are blown.

and their minds are blown. and their minds are blown. They can't believe it. They go and order They can't believe it. They go and order They can't believe it. They go and order at any kind of restaurant and the at any kind of restaurant and the at any kind of restaurant and the portions they're like, "This could feed portions they're like, "This could feed portions they're like, "This could feed my whole family for a month in Norway or my whole family for a month in Norway or my whole family for a month in Norway or whatever, you know, and then they go to whatever, you know, and then they go to whatever, you know, and then they go to get gas and then there's a BIES. Bies, get gas and then there's a BIES. Bies, get gas and then there's a BIES. Bies, look at the videos are blowing these look at the videos are blowing these look at the videos are blowing these folks minds." And then the people are folks minds." And then the people are folks minds." And then the people are friendly and we relively get along, friendly and we relively get along, friendly and we relively get along, though we come from every different though we come from every different though we come from every different culture and background in the entire culture and background in the entire culture and background in the entire world. And they're like, "Wow, America world. And they're like, "Wow, America world. And they're like, "Wow, America is great." is great." is great." Yeah, they are. So, what's what's the problem? If I had to what's what's the problem? If I had to defend these people, okay, if I had to defend these people, okay, if I had to defend these people, okay, if I had to defend them, I would say, "Well, defend them, I would say, "Well, defend them, I would say, "Well, the problem was like a lot of us, they the problem was like a lot of us, they the problem was like a lot of us, they had all these opinions and thoughts had all these opinions and thoughts had all these opinions and thoughts about America, about America, about America, but they had never been here. They'd but they had never been here. They'd but they had never been here. They'd never experienced it never experienced it never experienced it firsthand.

firsthand. firsthand. I believe the same thing can be said I believe the same thing can be said I believe the same thing can be said about God and spiritual formation. about God and spiritual formation. about God and spiritual formation. Until you've experienced Until you've experienced Until you've experienced God, until you've experienced God, until you've experienced God, until you've experienced his transforming grace and power in your his transforming grace and power in your his transforming grace and power in your life firsthand, you don't understand it. life firsthand, you don't understand it. life firsthand, you don't understand it. So God is inviting us in the next So God is inviting us in the next So God is inviting us in the next several weeks to begin to experience several weeks to begin to experience several weeks to begin to experience more of him. And if you're wondering, more of him. And if you're wondering, more of him. And if you're wondering, did we find that final piece of the did we find that final piece of the did we find that final piece of the puzzle? The answer is yes. No one stole puzzle? The answer is yes. No one stole puzzle? The answer is yes. No one stole it. No one was the hero. Chrissy, my it. No one was the hero. Chrissy, my it. No one was the hero. Chrissy, my wife, found it. It was hiding on the wife, found it. It was hiding on the wife, found it. It was hiding on the surface of the rest of the puzzle. And surface of the rest of the puzzle. And surface of the rest of the puzzle. And we put it in we put it in we put it in and voila, there it is. and voila, there it is. and voila, there it is. finished piece of the puzzle. The sky, finished piece of the puzzle. The sky, finished piece of the puzzle. The sky, the puffy white clouds, the beautiful the puffy white clouds, the beautiful the puffy white clouds, the beautiful home, the grass, the trees, the flowers, home, the grass, the trees, the flowers, home, the grass, the trees, the flowers, and the ocean was flowing and it was and the ocean was flowing and it was and the ocean was flowing and it was done. The big picture throughout our life, throughout our life, we're trying, aren't we, to put together we're trying, aren't we, to put together we're trying, aren't we, to put together weird pieces of the puzzle.

But in that process, But in that process, we can turn over our thoughts, our lives we can turn over our thoughts, our lives we can turn over our thoughts, our lives to the one who sees to the one who sees to the one who sees the whole picture. God sees your life the whole picture. God sees your life the whole picture. God sees your life and my life as a beautiful finished and my life as a beautiful finished and my life as a beautiful finished product, but we're in the messy middle, product, but we're in the messy middle, product, but we're in the messy middle, but we're trusting in the one but we're trusting in the one but we're trusting in the one who is putting all things together for who is putting all things together for who is putting all things together for his good and his glory. He sees. Yes, he his good and his glory. He sees. Yes, he his good and his glory. He sees. Yes, he sees the big picture. the big picture. As the whole song said, he's got the As the whole song said, he's got the As the whole song said, he's got the whole whole whole world in his hands. He's got you and me world in his hands. He's got you and me world in his hands. He's got you and me in his hands.