The first principal of Regents College at Oxford University was Dr. James Houston. The college grew out of the root system of the Baptist movement in England. The nonconformists (Baptists) could not obtain a degree without signing the doctrines of the Church of England, so a school, or education society, was started for these dissenters (Baptists). It eventually became a part of Oxford University.
Dr. Houston passed away earlier this year at the age of 103. He spent his career teaching spiritual theology, or what we call, spiritual formation. It is how our lives, and souls, are formed and shaped by the steadfast love of God. In looking back at his life, and all the years he experienced, we know that he experienced the highs and lows, and chaos, of life. There is not a life, which is untouched by these experiences, especially over the course of 103 years.
Knowing that life is always swirling around us with such force, even during the slower tempo of summer, we crave insights about spiritual formation. We want to know how to gather strength, develop wisdom, and foster clarity! Dr. Houston once wrote about spiritual formation, “Our job is mostly to make ourselves available.”
On the surface, it does not seem remarkable until we consider what it does not mean. It does not mean we have to achieve or accomplish something. We do not have to keep adding to our lives or increasing our effort until we perfect them. We only have to make ourselves available to God’s steadfast love!
The posture of making ourselves available is different from increasing our effort. It is making room and creating margin in our lives, so we can listen and pray, worship and serve, love and be loved. As we enter the heart of summer, may we seek opportunities to make ourselves available to God’s steadfast love.
– Tripp