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The experience of spiritual direction has filled a longing in my soul. It has helped me be attentive to the whispers of the Holy Spirit in my life. Jesus promised that when he left this world, he would send the Holy Spirit. This Counselor and Spirit of truth lives in us (John 16:7-12). We no longer see Jesus physically, but with the eyes of our hearts we can see God's Spirit within. Spiritual direction helps us do that.
The Beginnings of Spiritual Direction
Spiritual direction is a way of companioning people as they seek to look closely, through the eyes of their hearts, at the guidance and transforming work of God in their lives. It's a practice that began in the early years of Christianity when people followed the desert mothers and fathers out to the wilderness to ask them how to know God. Over the years, spiritual direction has appeared in many faith traditions. It was kept alive in the Christian faith mainly through the Roman Catholic Church, but today the Protestant church is rediscovering it. People throughout the Christian church, including those of an evangelical orientation, are experiencing again the gifts that God gives to his people through the loving listening and the gentle guidance of spiritual directors. This gift is usually offered in the context of individual spiritual direction, but the potential for spiritual direction in small groups is a growing and promising expression of the ministry of spiritual companionship.
After my first meeting with Ed, I could not wait to tell my friends about it. My enthusiasm for spiritual direction led me to complete a certification program to become a spiritual director myself and meet regularly with individuals, to meet with my own spiritual director, and most recently to pursue spiritual direction in small groups. I continue to be amazed at the richness of this gift to the church, whether it is experienced individually or in groups.
Groups Who Listen
A spiritual direction group is not your typical small group. It is not a study group or a place to simply find fellowship, although that happens. It is not a mission group, a committee, or an accountability group. It is, first and foremost, a listening group. Just as Ed listened to me in personal spiritual direction, so members of the group listen, carefully and deeply, to one another. Just as Ed waited for me to say more, so members of the group wait for one another to share whatever they want to share at that time. And just as there was a lot of silence in the times I met with Ed, so there is a lot of silence in group spiritual direction.
Group spiritual direction provides a unique opportunity in the life of the church or community of believers. It is different from more typical conversations such as the superficial (but necessary) hi-how-are-you encounters or those that go a bit deeper but still require our best-dressed presentations. It's also different from our conversations and groups that revolve around meeting needs (casseroles for those who are sick, babysitting for those who are tired, mission work for those who are needy). It is different from teaching Bible studies, adult education classes, seminars and workshops. All of these things are very good things to do. But they do not provide the unique opportunity given in spiritual direction: the opportunity to be heard, to have someone listen to us as we describe the milestones, detours and questions of our own spiritual journeys.
