The Journey Compass

What We Mean by Spiritual Formation

For centuries, followers of Jesus like Augustine, Teresa of Ávila, John of the Cross, Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, John Mark Comer, and many others have described this journey. Their words may differ, but the heart is the same: Spiritual formation is a lifelong process in which we are transformed into Christlikeness through union with God, empowered by grace, and shown love.

Spiritual formation is mostly God’s work in us. God heals, reshapes, and renews our hearts. But we are not just watching from the sidelines. We are invited to respond, show up, and practice new ways of living so grace can work deeply in us.

Why We Use Mt. Grace Wilderness Language

Life with God is more like a hike through changing terrain than a smooth, straight highway. On a real trail, you can’t control the weather, the terrain, or how quickly your lungs and legs adapt. You need a guide, a map, and companions. When you are on a day hike or portaging between lakes, you don’t stay in one place; you move between basecamp, trail, summit, and valley again and again.

Faith works in a similar way. Uncertainty remains because you can’t always see what’s ahead, but you are still invited to keep going. Beauty and risk are both present: sometimes you see God’s goodness clearly, and other times you face pain, confusion, or struggle. There are times of effort and rest, movement and stillness, climbing up and coming back down. This outdoor metaphor gives us a simple and memorable way to talk about the journey of following Jesus.

The Five Waypoints of the Journey

These waypoints anchor the entire site:

• Basecamp: “Come to Me”

• Trailhead: “Come and See”

• The Path: “Follow Me”

• The Summit: “Remain in Me”

• The Outbound Trail: “Therefore, Go”

These are not steps you finish and leave behind. They are waypoints you come back to throughout your life with Jesus. This picture gives us a simple way to understand the journey, like a map for life with Christ. Each of the five waypoints is based on one of Jesus’ invitations.

Basecamp: “Come to Me”

Basecamp is where the journey starts. It’s the place where you set down what’s weighing you down and listen to Jesus’ invitation to rest. Here, you learn that life with God begins not with your effort, but with His grace. Read More - Coming Soon

Trailhead: “Come and See”

The Trailhead is where your curiosity comes alive. You bring your questions, hesitations, and hopes, and Jesus invites you to explore. This is a place for beginners, those returning, and long-time believers stepping into something new. Read More - Coming Soon

The Path: “Follow Me”

The Path is your daily walk with Jesus. It’s made up of ordinary, sometimes difficult steps where real change happens. Here, you learn His way of life through prayer, Scripture, community, rest, and obedience. Read More - Coming Soon

The Summit: “Remain in Me”

The Summit is where you stay close to Jesus. Here, you slow down, breathe deeply, and live from your connection with Him. It’s not about chasing spiritual highs, but about finding strength and identity in Him in every season. Read More - Coming Soon

The Outbound Trail: “Therefore, Go”

The Outbound Trail leads back into everyday life - your home, work, neighborhood, and relationships. Here, the journey overflows into love, service, presence, and witness. You carry Christ’s light into the world you already inhabit. Read More - Coming Soon

Rhythms, Not Ranks

Formation is a cycle, not a straight line. These five waypoints (Basecamp, The Trailhead, The Path, The Summit, and The Outbound Trail) are not a ladder you climb once and forget. They are not badges to earn or levels to finish.

They’re more like distinct places that you:

• Will repeatedly visit. Even if you’ve been following Jesus for years, you will find yourself back at Basecamp, needing to hear “Come to Me” afresh.

• Will move between during different seasons. Some days you’ll feel very much at the Trailhead, full of questions. Other times, you’ll sense the steady grind of The Path or Summit-like clarity.

• Can experience several at the same time. While you’re learning to abide at the Summit, you’re still called to go on the Outbound Trail. While you’re going, you still need to return to Basecamp and rest.

Try to think of this less like climbing stairs and more like breathing: Inhale (rest, curiosity, abiding) and then exhale (obedience, mission, love).

This rhythm shapes everything on the site: reflections, practices, guides, and resources. No matter where you are, Jesus is already there. There is no wrong place on the journey for Him to meet you.

How the Journey Compass Organizes the Site

Each page on Clicking with God connects to one of these waypoints. This setup helps you:

• Identify where you are

• Find resources that match your season.

• Take the next small step with Jesus.

• Transition between rest, exploration, practice, abiding, and mission.

Your journey shapes how you move through the site.

What You’ll Experience Across the Site

Across the Journey, you’ll move through a rhythm of presence, learning to encounter God in the ordinary moments of daily life; practice, embracing simple and realistic habits that open your heart to grace; community, walking the trail alongside others who share the same desire to grow; discernment, learning to recognize God’s invitations as they rise within your days; and mission, living Christ’s love in the world with intention and courage. These five dimensions quietly anchor every page, post, and resource you’ll find here.

Who This Is For

Clicking with God is a resource for everyone. Whether you are a new believer taking your first steps of faith, a curious skeptic asking honest questions, a long‑time Christian seeking fresh depth, spiritually exhausted and in need of rest and renewal, or anyone longing for a deeper experience of God. No matter who you are, you are welcome here.

How Clicking with God Supports Your Journey

Think of this site as a series of helpful rest stops, waypoints along your journey.

Here you’ll find (coming soon):

• A 6-part blog series that:

  • Provides a quick overview of the journey.

  • Unpacks each of the five movements (Basecamp, Trailhead, Path, Summit, Outbound) in its own post, with stories, Scripture, reflection questions, and a concrete practice you can try.

• Additional articles and guides over time that go more deeply into specific practices, struggles, and questions that arise along the way.

This site is here to help you see where you are, receive God’s grace in that place, and take the next small step with Jesus.

A Final Word

Wherever you find yourself on the journey, beginning, returning, or growing steadily, the Compass is here to help you walk with Jesus at a pace shaped by grace. Let it give you clarity, not pressure; direction, not demands. As you explore, may you sense Christ gently guiding your next step.

In His Fields, Jon