Arise Spiritual Direction

Refresh. Renew. Reflect.

This month, I am leaning into the refreshment of the last days of Fall, and welcoming the renewal and reflection of a portion of how I came to spiritual direction. A time when 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.

*“Arise, for your light has come” Isaiah 60:1*

Glimpses of my spiritual direction experience:

In the 2018, I found myself in the midst of life’s daily challenges while teaching, finishing the path of raising our children, and wondering about the coming transitions of growth on my journey. These challenges were good, and embedded with highs and lows, however I was struggling to hear and know where God was leading me. It was (and still is) with courage I say daily, “Lord, where are we going?” “Is there something more or less in this life?” “What does the path today look like?’ —a stream of questions and wonderings.

It was during this transitional season of life that I was introduced to spiritual direction and decided to give it a try. I had been asking God for this kind of experience and companionship yet I didn’t know what this would look like and kept finding myself 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 is going on inside and around me, and not give answers or advice.

And now, in a session as a spiritual director, I get to shoulder the listening. When sitting with a directee (client) we listen together to your story and present life. In this setting there isn’t counsel but instead an asking of God “What is going on?”— within this present space of time or season of life, and especially the daily happenings within your life. We may ask and notice: “What are some responses to situations and relationships?” and “How am I to engage with life’s challenges?” —amongst other questions as they arise.

In Spiritual Direction, we invite the presence of God dwelling in us and with us together for help in noticing where there may be a need to slow down. The invitation to slow down, and sit with a companion in a quiet and safe space for an hour of time is a gift. In this set aside hour of time there can be spaciousness for prayer and conversation, silence and listening— all of these pointing to God and asking “What do you have for this day, week, or month?” The beauty of this hour of time is that you and I (as your director) are given permission to simply be, to trust, rest and pause— to be still with God not alone but with a gentle and gracious spiritual director as companion.

In the stillness, we begin to hear and recognize the voice of God. 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...

Spiritual Direction has been for me a way of giving myself permission to be okay with “stopping” —ceasing to do something, especially striving but instead I am being given permission to simply be.

Much like a mother carries her child to rest while she continues to move and work. So is our God.

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.

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 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, friends, and 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!

Arise Spiritual Direction

Simply Deep: awe

Listening.