The Journey of Formation

Have you ever felt like your spiritual life has seasons? At times, prayer feels vibrant and alive; at other times, it feels dry, even frustrating. Sometimes you sense God’s nearness, while at other moments He feels distant. If you’ve experienced this, you are not alone. In fact, the Christian tradition has long understood spiritual formation as a journey, a process that unfolds in stages.

The contemplative path helps us walk that journey with patience and hope. Instead of being discouraged by the ups and downs of faith, we can begin to see them as part of God’s work of transformation.

A Pilgrim’s Path

The Bible itself often describes faith as a journey. Abraham sets out into the unknown, following God’s call. The Israelites wander through the wilderness before entering the promised land. The Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120–134) were sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. The first Christians were even called “the Way.”

This imagery reminds us that formation is not instant. It is a pilgrimage of becoming. Along the way, there are milestones and markers, stages of growth that help us understand what God is doing in us.

The Classic Stages of Growth

Christian theologians and mystics have often described spiritual formation in three broad stages:

1.     The Purgative Way. This stage is about turning from sin and beginning to let go of what keeps us from God. It is often marked by repentance, healing, and reordering our loves.

2.     The Illuminative Way. As we grow, we begin to experience greater intimacy with God. Our understanding of Scripture deepens, our love for others expands, and we live more fully in God’s light.

3.     The Unitive Way. The goal of the journey is union with God, a life so deeply rooted in Christ that we are transformed in love. As Paul writes in Galatians 2:20, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”

These stages aren’t rigid or linear. We may revisit earlier steps or find ourselves in several at once. But they help us understand that growth is progressive. Formation is about continual deepening, not a one-time decision.

Contemplation Along the Way

So, where does contemplation fit? The answer is: everywhere.

·       In the purgative stage, silence helps us face our distractions and sins honestly before God. Stillness reveals what we try to avoid. Like the Psalmist, we learn to pray, “Search me, O God, and know my heart” (Psalm 139:23).

·       In the illuminative stage, contemplative practices like meditating on Scripture open us to God’s Word in new ways. We begin to see His presence in ordinary life. Light dawns, and our eyes are opened.

·       In the unitive stage, contemplation draws us beyond words into a deeper awareness of God’s presence. Here, prayer becomes less about asking and more about abiding.

Contemplation is not reserved for the “advanced.” It is for every stage of the journey. In fact, it is what sustains us as we keep walking.

What My Research Revealed

In my doctoral research, I found that many people in Episcopal congregations described their spiritual lives in ways that reflected these stages, even if they didn’t have the language for it. Some were wrestling with busyness and distraction, longing for space to repent and rest, clearly in the purgative stage. Others spoke of new awareness as they practiced silence, illumination dawning. A few shared experiences of deep peace and union with God in prayer, which tradition might call unitive.

What encouraged me most was that these stages weren’t reserved for monks or mystics. Ordinary Christians were experiencing them when given the opportunity to practice contemplation together. And congregations that created space for these practices saw their members growing in resilience, compassion, and engagement.

Avoiding Misconceptions

It’s important to clear up a few misunderstandings about spiritual growth:

·       It’s not about climbing a ladder. The stages are not steps toward spiritual superiority. They are markers on a journey of love, not achievements to boast about.

·       Dryness is not failure. Times of struggle or distance are often God’s way of deepening our dependence. Even the saints experienced the “dark night of the soul.”

·       Growth is communal. We don’t walk this path alone. The body of Christ sustains us, and companions help us discern where we are and how to move forward.

Living the Journey Today

What does this mean for us, practically? It means we can approach our faith with patience and openness. Here are some ways to embrace the journey:

·       Notice your season. Are you in a time of repentance and letting go? A season of fresh insight? A period of deep resting in God? Naming your stage can bring clarity.

·       Practice for the season. If you feel restless or distracted, begin with silence and confession. If you’re sensing God’s light, engage deeply with Scripture through Lectio Divina. If you feel drawn into wordless prayer, don’t resist, allow the Spirit to hold you.

·       Be gentle with yourself. Growth is slow. As St. Francis de Sales wrote, “Have patience with all things, but first of all with yourself.”

·       Walk with companions. Share your journey with a spiritual friend, director, or small group. Others can help you discern God’s work in your life.

An Invitation

Spiritual formation is not about rushing to the finish line. It is about walking faithfully with God, step by step, stage by stage. The contemplative path gives us tools to stay rooted along the way.

If your faith feels dry, don’t despair. It may be part of the purgative stage, where God is pruning distractions. If your prayer feels alive, give thanks for illumination. If you sense a quiet nearness, rest in the gift of union.

Wherever you are, God is with you. The journey itself is grace. And contemplation is the practice that keeps us attentive, so we don’t miss the One who walks beside us.