If you’re wondering what the heck Spiritual Direction or Formation was/is and what I’m doing in Seminary, this is for you…
My introduction to seminary has had a great impression on my view and
embrace of spiritual direction. I view spiritual formation as a way of
life because I believe everything is spiritual.
Spiritual formation is to mindfully and intentionally develop our
spiritual lives through surrendering and opening our hearts to meet God
as we are; wherever we may be. This may be through silence and
meditation, or through living out our calling, or something completely
different. No matter the action or time, it will be in a space where we
seek to open up our mind, body, and spirit for raw truth and honesty
when meeting with God. Keeping this in mind, spiritual direction is then
walking with someone through their spiritual formation journey and
viewing their practices and beliefs for the purpose of respectfully
expanding their “God box.”
I use the term “God box” meaning the space and beliefs we have placed
around God. It is through relationship with Him that we learn how He
personally interacts and meets with us. It is through relationship and
time with Him that we get to know Him and ourselves better. In these
quiet times, it allows us the opportunity to ask the tough questions and
work through difficult thoughts and situations. It also allows Him to
minister to us and give us peace, bringing us to a deeper level of
understanding in Him, the world, and our purpose. It grants Him an
opportunity to prune us and help us grow, showing us our weaknesses and
whispering to our hearts.
In explaining spiritual direction to others, I explain first what
spiritual formation could be for them, using the terms I expressed
above. It may be through prayer and active listening, writing in a
journal, practicing solitude, etc. I explain that for me, it is
sometimes different every day. This is because God always meets me where
I am and when we are growing, we are in a different place every day:
spiritually, mentally, and sometimes emotionally.
Someone providing spiritual direction will spend time getting to know
your season of life and your yearning for growth. They will pray for
you, help you see new perspectives, and provide discernment as needed.
Most importantly a director is someone who will walk with you and
encourage you through the newness and difficulties of your formation,
assuring your feelings are normal and natural and helping you to accept
or work through them. A director is also someone who is living as an
example and actively engaging in spiritual formation themselves. The
director will actively listen to you explain your spiritual journey and
development, and then ask questions about how God/Christ/Holy Spirit is
connecting with you and provide suggestions for different ways to seek
Him. They will also ensure you are on track and affirm and encourage you
or gently steer you back as needed, even giving tough-love if required.
A spiritual director will encourage you to surrender your time and
space to God and let him expand the box where you have placed Him.
My overall perspective and impression on this process is that it is
of great use for individual personal development. I believe the church
has distanced itself from the calling of Christ because we are
distracted by the ways of the world. Personal spiritual formation and
direction is an excellent way to expand the roots and dig into your
relationship with God on a deeper level. It creates a free space to
request whatever we may need in this time and place, asking God to meet
us where we are. In seeking Him this way, the creator of the
universe meets us and speaks into our lives, intimately connecting with
us as father, lover, and friend.
It is beautiful.
