Being Formed: Choosing Rhythms That Shape Us
Pastor Victoria Sowell
The way life is structured shapes who we become. Our habits, practices, and rhythms don’t just fill time; they form us. Whether we choose them with intention or slip into them passively, they ultimately influence our identity. The question is never if we are being formed but into what we are being formed. Click the link above for the full message.
The Power of Rhythms in Daily Life
Everyday choices build patterns that mold character. Philosopher James K.A. Smith explains it this way: “We are what we love, and our loves are shaped and aimed by the practices we participate in daily.” This means our schedules and habits are not neutral—they are shaping our hearts. Spiritual formation, at its core, is not about an occasional experience but about daily rhythms that align us with God’s design for us.
Without intentionality, culture will form us in its image. That’s why it’s vital to guard the practices that define faith: prayer, worship, Scripture, service, and obedience. These aren’t just disciplines; they are countercultural choices that resist being swept into distraction and compromise.
A Story of Resilience: Daniel in Babylon
Daniel’s story in the Old Testament shows us what it looks like to live in a culture determined to reshape faith. Taken into captivity by Babylon, he was given a new name, a new education, and even a new diet. Everything around him was meant to strip away his identity. Yet Daniel drew a line:
“But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine…” (Daniel 1:8, NIV)
By holding onto rhythms of devotion, Daniel not only survived but thrived. He gained wisdom, spiritual insight, and favor in a hostile environment. Later, when a law was passed making prayer illegal, Daniel didn’t panic. His daily rhythm of prayer was so steady that he continued “just as he had done before” (Daniel 6:10, NIV).
This teaches us something crucial—spiritual formation isn’t about grand gestures in moments of crisis; it’s about faithful habits practiced day after day.
Identity Anchored in Faith
Our rhythms reveal where we root our identity. Do we anchor ourselves in God’s Word and presence, or do we let culture define who we are? Daniel’s faith allowed him to resist external pressure. His commitment to prayer, diet, and worship shaped his identity more deeply than Babylon ever could.
Psalm 139 echoes this truth:
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb… all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:13, 16, NIV)
Returning to God’s design means choosing rhythms that reflect who He says we are, not what the world demands we become.
Breaking the Mold of Culture
The apostle Paul makes a bold statement:
“Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2, NIV)
The world has a mold, and without resistance, we slip into it. But renewal happens when we actively reset our rhythms. Transformation is not accidental—it’s formed through intentional devotion.
This month could be an opportunity to identify which patterns of life have been shaping us away from Christ, and to replace them with rhythms that align us closer to Him.
Devotion as Witness
The early church thrived not because they were extraordinary people, but because they were devoted to ordinary rhythms:
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42, NIV)
The result? “The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47, NIV)
Their rhythms didn’t just shape them personally—they became a powerful witness to the world. In the same way, when believers prioritize worship, community, and prayer, their lives become testimonies of God’s reality.
The Idols That Get in the Way
Even with the best intentions, certain “tiny gods” can derail formation. Three in particular stand out:
Convenience – the lie that what’s easy is best. True growth often requires discomfort, discipline, and sacrifice.
Pride – the belief that formation is for others, not for us. Pride distances us from God and makes us self-reliant.
Compromise – the assumption that sin doesn’t really matter. Yet Scripture reminds us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us…” (1 John 1:9, NIV).
These idols are subtle but powerful. Without addressing them, attempts at building spiritual rhythms won’t last.
Choosing Intentional Formation
Every person is being formed by something. The question is whether that formation leads us closer to God’s design or away from it. The invitation of Jesus is to not just believe, but to walk in His ways.
This fall offers a perfect moment to pause and reset. Instead of drifting through routines, what if we chose practices that formed us into the likeness of Christ? What if prayer, Scripture, service, and worship became non-negotiable rhythms?
Practical Steps for Resetting Rhythms
Identify one unhealthy rhythm – Ask yourself what habit is shaping you away from Christ.
Replace it with one life-giving practice – Choose something that directs your focus toward Him.
Stay consistent – Transformation isn’t about speed but about steady, faithful steps.
Invite accountability – Share your commitment with a friend or community to stay grounded.
Even one shift can open the door for powerful renewal.
The Invitation to Be Formed
Being formed into Christ’s image isn’t about perfection. It’s about daily surrender, daily realignment, and daily rhythms that reflect God’s original design. The choice is ours: will we be passively formed by culture, or intentionally formed by Christ?
Further Reading
Other Links
Want to hear more? Check out another message from Pastor Victoria on YouTube titled, Hearing the Holy Spirit.
Explore more resources and Bible studies at www.viewchurch.co/resources.
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