Dwell

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Popular notions of Christian spirituality often emphasize disengagement from the world or the removal of worldly influences. Many seek spirituality as a way to escape life, aiming for transcendence or personal wholeness. Conversely, much of contemporary Christian thought focuses on avoiding worldly corruption through piety and rule-following. However, Jesus presents a transformative model for living. As the Incarnate One, he exemplifies how to engage with the world for its sake. To embody his likeness, we must understand missional spirituality in our daily contexts. What does a life rooted in the Incarnation entail? Barry Jones, a missional teacher and pastor, articulates a vision for authentic Christian spirituality centered on becoming more like Jesus. We exist in a specific time and place, with unique bodies, within a world that God aims to redeem. This presence should inspire us to emulate Jesus, who was a boundary breaker, shalom-maker, people-keeper, and wounded-healer. Jones asserts that Jesus' life illustrates what it means to be fully human, engaged in the world while passionately pursuing its welfare. He emphasizes that allowing the Incarnation to shape our spiritual vision corrects tendencies toward self-centered transcendence or disengagement. With practical suggestions and discussion questions, Jones advocates for a missional life grounded in deep connection and dependence on God. We need a renewed vision of spiri