The Eternal Journey

A 30-week guide through the classic path of Christian transformation.

Buried beneath the history of the church are sterling examples of this Threefold Way: of a deep inward transformation that comes about as a result of the purifying of the heart (purgation), the enlightening of the mind (illumination) and the perfecting of the soul (union).

— Richard J. Foster

Madeleine L’Engle once said, “The writer writes for himself, out of his own need.” I have found this to be true as I have searched to uncover the terrain of my transformation. I needed some kind of map of spiritual country, a geography of the soul. Why? Because I don’t think the Christian journey is obvious today.

Beginning next week, I’ll be sharing short weekly reflections from The Eternal Journey, a 30-part devotional I wrote a few years ago that explores the ancient framework known as the Threefold Way: the Purgative, the Illuminative, and the Unitive ways. These three stages form a time-tested map of the spiritual life—one that has quietly shaped followers of Christ for centuries.

We all feel the momentum of our lives drawing us into the future, but we often don’t know where we’re going.

What are our next steps with Christ? Is there a time-honored path to a more transformed life? The Three Classical Stages of Transformation have become my map. These stages hold something ancient and enduring, a synthesis from the centuries and a testimony from writers across time who have lived the Christ-life from the depth of their being.

Of course, everyone’s journey is unique, but what’s delightful about working on this project is discovering there is a universal shape our life with Christ takes. When we know that, it helps us make sense of our spiritual experiences, gives us direction without being prescriptive, and guides us toward God in a more thoughtful way. In this 30-week series you’ll find short meditations that explore the common experiences we encounter in each stage.

These concepts are not new; I’ve simply tried to brush the dust off an ancient Christian treasure. My hope is that we can find some kind of path: a path that helps us journey with Jesus in a more clear-sighted way, a path that helps us participate more deeply in our transformation, a path that helps us advance ever nearer toward that one great goal of human life—union with the Trinity.

I’d love for you to join me!