Have you ever caught yourself doing something and thought, “Wait… when did I become this person?” Maybe you got unreasonably excited about vacuum lines or quoted traffic patterns like a weatherman. It sneaks up on you, doesn’t it? That’s the thing about formation—spiritual or otherwise. It’s rarely dramatic, but it’s always happening. Every choice, every scroll, every internal thought—they’re all shaping us. The question isn’t if we’re being formed, but by what.

Scripture doesn’t leave much room for neutrality. Romans 12:2 challenges us: “Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” That’s a daily, active process—not something that happens once at a retreat or during a crisis. We’re all being shaped by habits, thoughts, and the people around us. The good news? We don’t have to drift into formation. We can choose it. One small decision at a time, we can aim ourselves toward Jesus instead of away from Him.

Our habits matter more than we realize. They’re not just routines; they’re spiritual grooves we carve into our hearts. Whether it’s reaching for your phone or pausing to pray before your day begins, each action teaches your soul what to expect—and what to value. In the same way, our thoughts carry immense power. Rehearsed lies like “I’m not good enough” can slowly become internal truths unless we confront and replace them with Scripture-rooted realities about God’s grace and delight in us.

And then there are the people around our metaphorical dinner tables—those whose voices shape our days. Are they drawing us closer to Christ or reinforcing distraction, bitterness, or fear? Formation doesn’t happen in isolation. Jesus modeled this through community. His disciples were shaped not just by His teaching but by proximity to Him—and each other. We’re called to choose those relationships intentionally, and to become that kind of voice for others, too.

If you feel like you’ve drifted, you’re not alone. We all do. But God isn’t yelling from the end of the road—He’s walking beside you, gently recalculating your route. Formation is a slow, grace-filled journey. So ask the hard questions. What habits are forming you? What thoughts are driving your decisions? Who’s shaping your soul? The answers won’t be perfect. But they can lead to a small course correction—and a beautiful new direction.