Curious but Unfamiliar to Spiritual Direction?

When I speak to others of Spiritual Direction, I often get a curious look and a slight sense of resistance.  This is to be expected.  I remember wondering what spiritual direction was and how it could be helpful. I honestly didn’t understand what was behind such a word that seemed to imply that someone else could direct me spiritually.  Why would I need this? I have my church, my pastor, my bible, and my circle of friends. Why would I need a spiritual director?

Maybe there is another way to approach this unfamiliar spiritual discipline.

I have found that one may never understand spiritual direction until they have experienced it. Even in the many definitions I do give, these definitions do not do justice to the phrase until it has been experienced. Once someone experiences spiritual direction, the definitions are more easily understood.

I believe that is because such a holy and sacred space can never be fully explained. This is the joy I encounter each time I sit with others in spiritual direction. It is an unexplainable experience.

There may be some resistance to the phrase spiritual direction, especially in some protestant, evangelical, and charismatic circles. I believe this is because it is not a familiar spiritual discipline. Many Christians are not used to talking about spiritual things (or the lack of) with another in a way that opens their “whole self” to God. This is vulnerability. Vulnerability takes courage, but it also requires desire. Desire to grow, change, be seen, be heard, and to sense where God is at work in you.  This could be another reason some are resistant to spiriual direction.

Spiritual direction is simply another spiritual practice that yields much fruit. It is a place where you can be rigorously honest with yourself. This type of honesty and exploration into knowing oneself and God is transformational.

And besides. It’s not the director who directs. The director creates the space for one to connect deeply with the TRUE director, who is the Holy Spirit.  The director is a witness of God’s movement in your life, especially when you meet over a period of time. I have often heard it is hard to find a spiritual director who seems to be a good fit.  This could be another reason why some are resistant.

So if/when you find a spiritual director who is a good fit, stay with him/her. You will sense God moving more freely in your life and the world around you.

❣️