Leslie Bissell

What is Spiritual Direction?

 

Spiritual Direction is a Divine invitation to experience the presence of God in the company of a trained, empathic, listening other. While it is similar to other faith-based ministries, the purpose of Spiritual Direction is to hold space for the one seeking direction (Directee) to explore how the fingerprints of God show up in her personal story and in her daily life. If you feel like your attempts to connect with God are no longer working, are curious about how to feel a greater awareness of God’s presence, or simply want to slow down and invite God into your daily decisions, then Spiritual Direction may be the answer.

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I became aware of this ancient spiritual practice at a time in my life when it felt like my world was falling apart. I knew God was with me, but it just didn’t feel like it much of the time. I was exhausted, lonely, and feeling isolated from the One who, in the past, had informed my “doing” for Him. In this season of searching, I met my own Spiritual Director after moving to a new city. Over the past four years, every meeting with my Director has been life-giving in so many ways. My tears have been many, but the deep presence of God has always been central as she has held space for me to explore the depths of God’s love for me, just as I am. I have become more aware of how to “just be” with Jesus instead of being focused on what I was “doing for” Him. Our monthly meetings give me a sacred space to slow down, reflect, ask hard questions, and experience the love of my Abba in the unique way that He created me to know Him.

Sacred Spaces

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An empty sanctuary filled with sunlight color from stained glass windows. A wind-swept outlook amid the Painted Desert. A dark museum space holding a single glasswork statue of Jesus's crucifixion. My childhood bedroom. My favorite recliner nestled in the corner of my home office. A single candle illuminating a darkened room. What might each of these have in common? Each of these, at different times in my life, has been a sacred space for me. Special spaces where I have felt safe enough to breathe in the very presence of God, knowing that my tears and my questions will be met with compassion and understanding. In these spaces, I have also experienced God's great delight as He, too, has been set free to reveal more of Himself as He truly is.

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The word "sacred" means to be set apart for spiritual purposes. Unfortunately, in our multi-tasking society, it has become more difficult to step away from the noise and embrace stillness and solitude. But we are not the only ones who have had this challenge. Jesus also had to choose to seek out such spaces – the temple, a river where his cousin baptized him, the bottom of a boat in a storm, an upper room, then a vineyard and a garden. In these spaces, He intentionally distanced Himself or included Himself in community in such a way that He too could hear the voice of His Father and know that He was loved. This kind of communion, characterized by a deep connection with God, does not happen by accident. Neither does it happen without both parties taking some initiative to develop the relationship in such a way that the very space itself becomes holy too.

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In one of my favorite allegories, "Hinds' Feet on High Places" by Hannah Hurnard, the main character, Much Afraid, intentionally meets with the Great Shepherd to review the events of the day and dream together about the High Places. In her trysting place, she shares her desires for her lame feet to be made whole and to be able to leap like the deer on the mountains. It is here that the Great Shepherd invites her to join Him for the journey to the High Places. But for her to make the journey, she must attend to His call – a song He will sing when the time is right.

Unfortunately, when He sings His song, she is overcome by her family of Fearings and almost misses the opportunity. But it is there, in her trysting place, that she finds Him yet again, waiting for her. This call to "Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away" (Song of Songs 2:10) is not reserved for just a few. In fact, His call often comes to those who are willing to slow down and listen for it.

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And so, my dear friend, slow down. Take a deep breath. Quiet your heart. What are some of your sacred spaces? Is there a deep longing to go to that special, sacred space that only you and He know? If so, it just might be a Divine Invitation.

Pivot

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Earlier in my career, I had the responsibility of leading a team through what seemed to be a never-ending season of change. It felt like just as we started to make progress in one direction or area of service, "the system" would declare new standards or expectations that often felt like impossibilities. As the senior member of staff, it fell to me to set the tone for the introduction of this new challenge. Over time, staff started to dread when I would declare, "Okay, team, we have another opportunity for growth and change." What this practically meant was we had to rethink how we worked – we had to pivot and still manage to meet the needs of those we served. Many times, I felt the tangible dread and exhaustion of these mid-course corrections. Unfortunately, I also often took the strong reactions of my staff personally. 

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The opportunity to pivot can take many forms. Disappointments often contain many of these because they resonate not only with powerful feelings and expectations, but also, at some level, with the core of who we are and how we see ourselves in relationship with God and those around us. One of my favorite examples of this is the story of Elijah, who had to pivot after his interactions with the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 19. 

Here is some backstory: The Lord told Elijah to confront King Ahab and many of his prophets who served Baal about which God was the one true God. There was a challenge, and then, long story short, Elijah's God won the day by consuming not only the offering, but all of the 

water and the stones that the offering was placed on. Following the death of all of Baal's prophets at the hand of Elijah, King Ahab told his wife, Jezebel, and she threatened to hunt down and kill Elijah because of it.

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After this incredible victory, Elijah must have been on an emotional high, only to – whamo – have his life threatened. This so overcomes him that he actually becomes suicidal and runs into the desert. PIVOT. In his exhaustion, he cries out to God, announces his death wish, and collapses under a juniper tree. But God doesn't abandon Elijah or shame him. He sends an angel to minister to him twice. This angel brings baked bread and fresh water, then encourages him to eat and rest. PIVOT. Forty days later, we find Elijah in a cave. God asks him to reflect, "Why are you here, Elijah?" PIVOT. I wonder how many times I, like Elijah, get so caught up in the swirl that I forget Who I can lean into.

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And so, my dear friend, when you find yourself in the midst of "an opportunity for growth and change," pause and listen. Take a nap. Enjoy a healthy meal. Allow others to minister to your soul. 

This might be a Divine Invitation.