We’ve talked quite a bit about the process of formation this week — about how formation happens in two different ways, that what we’re trying to secure on the first level of formation is ultimately meant to be given to us by God, and that such relief from the heavy burden of our ego is found when we’re able to place our cares in the hands of God.

But doing so doesn’t happen automatically. How do we know God is worthy of that trust?

So much of this has to do with what we believe about God and what we believe about ourselves. For instance, if we don’t believe in God, that second level of formation won’t exist for us. In that case, the first level — how we interact with the world and what we come to believe about ourselves and other people in it — is all we’ll have.

But if we do believe in God, that shifts things around a bit. What do we believe about God? What does God have to do with us? What kind of entity is God?

Our beliefs about God inform our beliefs about ourselves. These are the existential questions.

When I write reflections for you to consider in this space, I come from an orientation of belief in God. Specifically, I am a follower of Jesus. This means that the person of Jesus — his life and teachings — do much to inform my understanding of who God is and who I am.

I believe that the more we get to know Jesus, the more we come to know God and ourselves. (This is one reason I’m creating the Gospel immersion course, to be offered here in the fall: so that we can better get to know the person of Jesus, and therefore better get to know God and ourselves. Can’t wait to share this with all of you!)

But what about you? What do you believe about God? How does that belief inform your understanding of yourself?