An iceberg makes for an unusual church logo.

Rich Villodas, pastor of New Life Fellowship in New York City, shared on the Renovaré Podcast this week the reason it was chosen:

“An iceberg is typically 10% on the surface and 90% below… As we are thinking about transformation as a follower of Christ, we want to get beneath the surface, beyond behavior modification, beyond believing the right things intellectually but not having it actually make a difference in our day-to-day lives.”

That’s just the tip of the iceberg is a helpful perspective for the spiritual life.

On a personal level, we may find ourselves snapping at the kids or fraught with anxiety. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Holy Spirit, help us see what’s beneath the surface.

On a societal level, there are political and racial hostilities that erupt into angry speech and violent action. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Holy Spirit, help us discern what’s beneath the surface.

Rich wrote a book called The Deeply Formed Life, chosen for this season’s Renovaré Book Club, to help us allow God to shape what’s beneath the surface of our lives. It does so not from a detached academic perspective, but from the lived-out trenches of pastoring a diverse group of people in one of the busiest cities on earth. (The timing wasn’t intentional to feature a New Yorker today, but it is fitting as our minds turn this weekend to the anniversary of 9/11.)

It’s worth noting that the books aren’t chosen lightly for the Book Club. They are prayerfully considered by a committee that includes Carolyn Arends, Richard Foster, and other Renovaré team members. Even if you don’t join the club, the selections each year are a good reference, a list of books we think are worth reading.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, reveal and shape what is beneath the surface of our lives. Form us so that what comes up to the surface may be pure and true and life-giving to others.