Spiritual Direction
Spiritual Direction
In the New Testament we see a variety of relationships in which one person gives spiritual guidance to another. John the Baptist exhorts people to prepare themselves to receive the coming Messiah. Part of preparing themselves involved confessing their sins, receiving baptism and receiving instruction from John, who taught them how to live out the changes confession would bring (Matthew 3:6; Mark 1:5; Luke 3:10-14). Paul also writes of the unique relationship that exists between spiritual children and their spiritual father (or guide). “Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me” (1 Corinthians 4:15-16).
Jesus’ relationships to his disciples also reveals his personal attention to their growth. He did not treat everyone the same, nor give them all the same advice. He spoke to them personally, in ways that touched their souls. Notice how differently he speaks to Mary and Martha at the death of their brother (see John 11:1-44).
Spiritual direction is a relationship that allows one to assist another in discerning God’s activity and presence in his or her life. This relationship assumes that we all need help to listen to God and live out his call. In the busyness of everyday life we can become blind and deaf to the river of life that flows in and around us all. A spiritual director listens with one ear to God and the other to the directee, always encouraging the directee to recognize where God can be found throughout the journey. At its core, spiritual direction attends to the faithfulness and initiative of God. The Holy Spirit is really the Director of the time together as both parties pay attention to God’s movements and call.
Spiritual direction is for those longing to drink from the river of life and ready to reflect on their own journey. This usually assumes a certain amount of spiritual maturity as well as an understanding of the importance of noticing God’s activity in the soul. Prayer, impressions, experiences and behavioral patterns all become part of the direction process that moves toward deeper intimacy with the Trinity.
Spiritual direction is offered at many retreat centers and through a variety of Catholic orders. But spiritual direction is becoming more popular in Protestant circles as well. If you are looking for a spiritual director, call a local retreat center and ask if they offer spiritual direction. Often spiritual directors are linked to each other through group supervision or Spiritual Directors International. Training centers for spiritual direction may also provide you with leads for spiritual directors in your area.
Reflection Questions
- How would you describe where you are in your spiritual pilgrimage?
- How does the idea of attending to the presence and work of God in your life with a spiritual director attract or repel you?
- Where have you been aware of God’s voice, movement or initiative in your life during the past six months or year?
- Are you growing in recognizing and naming your blind spots? Explain.
- How do you keep your finger on the pulse of what God is doing in your soul?
Spiritual Exercises
- A spiritual director might ask you to attend to the activity of God in your life through the following exercise. If this sort of exercise is beneficial to you, consider speaking about your experience with someone you know who listens well to God. Draw a lifeline and divide it into seven-year segments. In each segment put the initials of a person you trusted. What kind of people have you trusted? • How has this affected you? How has it affected your view of the trustworthiness of God? • Who do you trust right now with the last 10 percent about yourself ?
- The following questions weave their way in and out of the spiritual direction relationship.
- What do you sense about your receptivity or resistance to God in general or in particular areas of your life? Bring these thoughts to God in prayer.
- What is your operative image of God at this time in your life? Tell God how this image affects your behavior and choices.
- Have you ever had a strange or unusual experience of God? What was it like for you? How did it affect your view of God?
- If you want a spiritual director but are unable to find someone, ask God to give you insight into the people you know who are able to talk on the level of the soul. Ask someone with gifts in listening and attending to their spiritual journey to walk with you and help you listen to your life.
Resources on Spiritual Direction
The Art of Spiritual Listening by Alice Fryling
The Contemplative Pastor by Eugene Peterson
Holy Invitations by Jeanette Bakke
Toward God by Michael Casey
“Never think in lowering yourself you have less power for good.” —Charles de Foucauld
“The Christian is under both instruction and authority. . . . He believes what he believes because Jesus taught it, and he does what he does because Jesus told him to do it.” —John Stott
Submission
DESIRE | to have Jesus as the Master of my life in absolutely every way |
DEFINITION | Submission that leads to growth means aligning my will and freedom with God’s will and freedom. God’s will for us includes freely submitting to each other out of love and reverence for Christ. |
SCRIPTURE | “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:21) “Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and because obedient to death— “He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30) “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account.” (Hebrews 13:17) “Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1) |
PRACTICE INCLUDES |
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DESIRED OUTCOMES |
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