Spiritual direction is a way to pursue God with all our heart and way to respond to God, who is pursuing us.

Jeanette Bakke, Holy Invitations

What is spiritual direction?

I have experienced spiritual direction as a gift. In June 2017, I had my first, formal experience with a spiritual director and have continued in spiritual direction relationships since. Spiritual directors have invited me to connect with and experience God in different ways. They’ve created sacred spaces which have helped quiet and still my heart and mind in God’s presence to experience Him. I have experienced their gift of listening well to both me and God. God has used spiritual directors to help me to be more attentive, better recognize Him, hear and receive truth, and often reflect to me my own heart — providing clarity where needed. 

Spiritual direction involves the truest love a human being can experience — the love of God. We are invited to discover our true heart and desires, our authentic selves, from within the context of sacred love. …When we surrender ourselves to God the way opens for us to recognize and become all God intends….Spiritual direction helps us hear, recognize and pay attention to the voice of our faithful love who is God.

Jeannette Bakke, Holy Invitations

What does spiritual direction look like?

Meetings with a Spiritual Director can take place in person or over video conferencing. Meetings typically last an hour and often take place on a monthly basis. 

During our times together in spiritual direction, my hope is to create a safe space where together we can sit and intentionally listen to God. Through thoughtful, reflective questions and conversation, our times will be part of a growing process of recognizing, paying attention and noticing God.

“A spiritual director offers spiritual guidance and companionship to help us make sense of our faith journey, interpret with us the significant markers on the road, and encourage us, particularly through the more difficult transitions and valleys of our pilgrimage. Most of all, a spiritual director helps us make sense of the witness of the Spirit — assisting us to respond well to the question, “How is God present to me and how is God, through the ministry of the Spirit, at work in my life?” 

Gordon Smith, Spiritual Direction: A Guide to Giving and Receiving Direction

Is spiritual direction the same as counseling?

“Spiritual direction is not meant to replace other forms of helping ministries such as biblical, pastoral, or psychological counseling.

Spiritual direction differs from counseling ministries primarily in its focus: the intention in spiritual direction is not to help solve a problem, but rather to look for God’s activity within any problems and within the rest of the person’s life experience. This perspective invites you into deeper relationship with God in the midst of whatever you are experiencing. Spiritual direction is designed to complement rather than compete with these other vital ministries within the Body of Christ.”
Source: Grafted Life – About Spiritual Direction

How much does it cost?

Individual spiritual direction sessions are a suggested $50 per one-hour session. If you need spiritual direction but resources are a problem, we can work together to make it happen.

Interested?

Are you interested in exploring spiritual direction with me? I’d love to connect with you.