“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” — Proverbs 3:6 (KJV)
The first two days of October 2026 were, for me, more than a period of public engagements. They became an opportunity for personal reflection and a deeper understanding of spiritual formation. As I reflected on these experiences, I began to appreciate more clearly that spiritual formation is not simply about what I learn in the classroom, how much Scripture I can explain, or how frequently I participate in Christian activities. Rather, it is about allowing God to shape who I am, how I think, how I speak, how I make decisions and, ultimately, how I serve Him in the world.
On October 1, I had the privilege of speaking at the National Independence Conference of Trinity Baptist Church, Abuja, where I addressed the topics “Christianity and the Idea of Democracy” and “Christians and Election.” Standing before the congregation was both an honour and a spiritual responsibility. I was not speaking merely as a political scientist or analyst; I was conscious of my responsibility to speak as a Christian whose understanding of public life is being shaped by Scripture and theological reflection.
As I prepared for the conference and delivered my presentations, I found myself asking a personal question: What does my faith require of me when I enter the public sphere?
The answer became increasingly clear. My Christianity must influence not only what I believe privately but also how I understand justice, leadership, elections, citizenship, truth and the dignity of other people. If spiritual formation is genuine, it must eventually become visible in the way I engage with society.
The following day, October 2, I found myself in a different environment. I participated in a political discussion on S24 TV in Abuja, where I analysed Nigeria’s evolving political landscape, including renewed efforts by opposition parties to build a coalition and possibly present a common presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.
Sitting in the television studio prompted me to reflect once again on the relationship between my theological formation and my public vocation.
The transition from the church auditorium to the television studio was particularly significant. In one setting, I was discussing the responsibilities of Christians in a democracy; in the other, I was analysing democracy as it is practised in contemporary Nigeria. Yet I realised that these were not two separate worlds. Rather, they were two expressions of the same calling: to bring thoughtful, ethical and responsible engagement into public life.
This experience challenged me personally because it reminded me that theological education comes with responsibility. I cannot study Christian ethics and public theology merely to accumulate academic qualifications. I must allow what I learn to transform my character and shape my public conduct.
The classroom must inform the marketplace of my ideas; prayer must guide my decisions; Scripture must shape my values; and my relationship with Christ must influence how I engage with people who may not share my convictions.
I am also learning that spiritual formation requires humility. Speaking publicly can easily create the temptation to assume that possessing knowledge means having all the answers. However, spiritual maturity teaches me to listen, discern, examine my motives and remain teachable. James 1:19 reminds believers to be “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”
For me, this counsel is particularly important in political and public conversations, where strong opinions can easily overshadow wisdom, and conviction can degenerate into arrogance. Genuine spiritual formation requires me to approach such engagements with humility, patience and a willingness to learn from others.
Looking back on those two days, I recognise that God was teaching me something deeper than public speaking. He was reminding me that my public vocation must remain connected to my spiritual formation. I am being formed not merely to occupy influential spaces but to represent Christ faithfully wherever I find myself.
Romans 12:2 calls believers to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. I increasingly understand this transformation as a lifelong journey in which God continually reshapes my thoughts, attitudes, priorities and actions. My prayer is that the more I study, speak and engage with society, the more clearly Christ will be seen in the person behind the public voice.
The beginning of October therefore became a personal reminder that God does not form us only for the sanctuary; He forms us for service in the world. He does not prepare us only for the pulpit; He also prepares us for the public square.
My responsibility is to remain yielded to Him so that my education becomes wisdom, my knowledge becomes service, my influence becomes stewardship, and my public engagement becomes a faithful witness for Christ.
For me, that is the heart of spiritual formation: becoming the person God can trust with the influence He has entrusted to me, using it to serve humanity and contribute to the propagation of the Gospel throughout the world.
Cliff Stanley
Jos ECWA Theological Seminary (JETS)
Email: Cliffstanley3@gmail.com
Phone: 07032826319