An Invitation. Arise Spiritual Direction
Dear Friends,
This month, I would like to share with you portions of the journey and the wellspring of Arise Spiritual Direction by sharing some of my personal spiritual direction experience. Beginning back in 2018, God began stirring my heart, mind and body to move into a new place—a walk that was hungry and thirsty for more of Jesus and to live out the calling of loving God and others well.
“the unexpected path” image shot @ Los Poblanos Farm
My personal spiritual direction experience:
In the 2018, I found myself listening for God’s voice in the midst of life’s daily challenges, and longing for transitions of growth in my vocation and spiritual journey. Though both were good, and embedded with highs and lows, I was struggling to hear and know where God was leading me. It was (and still is)with courage I said yes Lord, it’s time for somethings to change in my life. I decided to try spiritual direction. I had been asking the Lord for this kind of experience and companionship yet I didn’t know what this would look like and saying “I don’t know but I trust God.”
When I was first invited to experience SD (Spiritual Direction) I didn’t know what to expect, and honestly I didn’t come with any expectations. I was thankful for someone willing to sit and help me listen to what’s going on inside of me and around me, and not give answers or advice.
In a session, a spiritual director listens with me and to me. In this setting there isn’t counsel but instead asking God “What is this going on in my life” and at times my responses to situations, relationships, and how to engage with life’s challenges. All of these movements of asking surface at various and unexpected times within these sessions.
In SD, the Holy Spirit (the presence of God indwelling us), the director and I, together help me notice where I feel stuck or too busy and need to slow down. Through prayer, listening, Scriptures, and conversation— all of these pointing to God and asking “Lord, what do you want for me?” In this set aside hour of time, I’m given permission to just be and do nothing, but trust, rest and pause, to just be still with God not alone but with a gentle and gracious spiritual director as companion.
Isaiah 60:1
Arise [from spiritual depression to a new life],
shine [be radiant with the glory and brilliance of the Lord]
for your light has come,
And the glory and brilliance of the Lord has risen upon you.”[AMP]
In the stillness, I begin to hear and recognize the voice of God. In SD we notice the ‘present’ time and season of our lives. Through the conversation of SD, I have learned to trust that I am hearing God’s particular voice within the moments of my day and the ways God gently guides me. He wants me to continuously live in the way of Jesus–relaxed, resting in Him as I work, play, drive, walk, run, eat, sleep…worship Him.
Spiritual Direction has been for me a way of giving myself permission to be in God’s presence. This sounds ridiculous because God is omnipresent so why do I struggle with this and being okay with “stopping” —ceasing to do something, especially striving but instead I am being given permission to just be. Often the scene of Jesus with Mary sitting at his feet listening comes to mind, as Martha her sister is busy. Jesus kindly speaks of her as one who “chose the best part” –the desire and awareness of His presence with her. Another scene with Jesus is the road to Emmaus, he walks with companions, listening as they are conversing, asking questions, listening to one another, and noticing His presence.
One of the greatest gifts given to me was when my supervisor in the Selah SD program gently stopped me once and repeated my words where I said “nothing.” I knew what she meant. God is always doing something, always working things together for our good. He’s wanting to show us how loved we are and cared for. At times, it can feel like He’s not there, or paying attention but she reminded me that He is! How often do we need this reminder? For me often and especially in the midst of difficult seasons of life. Lately the phrases of God’s loving presence have been “see Mel, I AM carrying you and caring for you. Let go and let Me love you” says the Lord my God.
Through the practiced rhythm of spiritual direction, prayer, community, silence and solitude, I have come to deepen my love relationship with the Father (Son and Holy Spirit) and trust His Presence is with me wherever I am. I desire more of Him in every area of my life. I am seeing Him in the lives of others both strangers and friends, fellow believers around me. Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ all around me.
How beautiful is His love for you and I!
I invite you into the dance of love, grace, hope, truth–to wear a beautiful headdress, the oil of joy, a garment of praise… [Isaiah 61:3]
Reach out, I will gladly welcome you to sit with me for a session or help you find a spiritual director.
Come and see what God invites and has for you!
Gratefulness,
Melanie
