For a few months I had been feeling stuck, lost and unsure of where God is leading me. I began meeting with Rhesa from the Center of Spiritual Formation, and through her, God was able to open my eyes to the many mysterious ways that He is working, even when if feels like He isn’t. She shed new light on reading scripture, prayer disciplines and other new ways to connect and re-connect with my savior. I am still a work in progress, but now I can move forward and better understand my deep emotional need for God and spiritual direction in my life personally and for my full time ministry.
In spiritual direction, I have found conversations that feed my soul and challenge my perspective of God’s plan for my life. A large part of my spiritual growth over the last year is directly related to the spiritual practices recommended by my director.
Ministers are often adept at doing the work of ministry, but receiving God’s grace in their own lives comes less easily. Spiritual direction has been, for me, a ministry of receiving the grace of divine rhythm. It’s more about spiritual companionship than receiving specific direction. As a result of Rhesa’s spiritual direction, I am more deeply aware of God’s presence and activity in my own life and I am better equipped to view my ministry as meaningful partnership in God’s ministry–not just the arduous work of a hired hand.
As a minister, you have to choose wisely with whom you share your most intimate moments with God and your struggles. The pressures of ‘the glass house’ make it difficult to find safe places to be honest about your journey. Spiritual direction has given me a place to be vulnerable and share challenges and victories and discoveries with someone else. The presence of the Spirit is always evident in my times of direction and God has used eleven:28 and Rhesa to reveal some astounding truths about Himself, about me, and about the journey we are taking together. As a minister, a believer, a person… Spiritual direction has made me better.
Spiritual direction has had a significant impact on my life. It has been a blessing to walk with God and one of His servants, listening and reflecting together on His direction in my life. How it has blessed my life!