Spiritual Direction
Spiritual direction is “space to explore the everyday ordinariness for the presence of God and the workings of grace,” precisely at those times when “nothing seems to be happening.”
— Eugene Peterson
What is Spiritual Direction?
Our great thirst is for God: “my soul finds rest in God alone” (Ps. 62:1). Spiritual Direction, also called Spiritual Companionship, is a relationship between two people; the director companions someone who is seeking rest in God and cultivating a thirst for God.
Engaging in Spiritual Direction means co-creating a space that you can better listen to the Holy Spirit, who is the true Director, constantly working to sustain and uphold us. The Holy Spirit accompanies our ordinary lives, our work, relationships, and reminds us of our longing for our true home—God. He draws us into a deeper sense of our belovedness, transforming us to become our truest selves as His daughter or son.
This sense of God’s activity in our lives is often thwarted, and we are distracted or numbed by the speed and volume of today’s way of living. The soil of our lives—the pain, doubt, weakness, as well as joy, triumph, and hope—is the exact place in which we are invited to encounter God. Our desire in spiritual direction is to notice and respond to God.
Often individuals pursue spiritual direction during a period of discerning life choices, exploring new ways to pray, or because of a season of dryness in their spiritual life, or in order to provide space to work through a longstanding question or longing.
What does Spiritual Direction Involve?
The director and directee get together on a regular basis, usually around once a month, for an hour. The time is intended to enter an atmosphere of listening to God and noticing what we sense his Spirit revealing. This may include silence and spoken prayer.
As the directee, you would bring some level of awareness of what has been happening in your life during the past month – the events, struggles, desires, and recurring themes that seem to be playing out. As you’ve tried to pay attention to God in the midst of these, including your experiences in communing with the Lord, what have you been noticing?
The hour is a space to slow down, make space for the Spirit, and to listen to God.
How do I find a Spiritual Director?
There are many avenues to find a Spiritual Director. If you are interested in exploring spiritual direction please contact info@christchurchofaustin.org.