The start of a new year always reminds us of our mortality
and purpose in life. We seek to make changes to improve our lives and grow into
the people we want to be. I am truly thankful for my life and that God has
taken my hand to lead me on my journey.
A very real and practical way that God has led me is through the
ministry of spiritual direction. I have grown in my awareness of God, myself,
and others by leaps and bounds through meeting monthly with a spiritual
director.
If you are not aware of the ministry of spiritual direction
then here is what it is and why I believe that it is so vital to the health of
the people of God and to the world at large. A spiritual director is someone who is called and
gifted by God to meet individually with people and listen with them for the movement and direction of God in their lives. Meeting with a spiritual
director gives you the opportunity to look deeply into your life and see with
new eyes, hear with new ears, and discover what God is up to in your life.
Sometimes what God reveals is painful and sometimes what God reveals is
delightful. The good news is that God's desire is to bring you freedom, truth, mercy, and love. I have experienced all of this in direction myself and have witnessed this as a director. This is good news! Jesus said that you shall know the truth and the truth will set you
free. All of us at times have fallen into believing lies about ourselves, about
others, and even about God. When these lies get exposed by the light of God,
freedom reigns. Knowing the truth about your life can set you free in ways that
are unimaginable. Meeting with a spiritual director is a unique experience
because your time together is not about what is going on in each other’s
lives—rather it is about what is going on in your life. It is about letting God
shine the light on you. Sometimes the director will share portions of her life
with you if it will be beneficial to your growth.
I love this ministry and the privilege that I have to meet
with people who are seeking after God with all the heart, soul, mind, and
strength. It is such a joy to see people grow into their true selves. I have
been meeting with people in various locations over the past few years and now I
am excited to report that I have an office located on our property. When Bruce
and I bought this land seven years ago we prayed over the land that it would
bring peace and healing to anyone that God brings to us in this place. This is
still my prayer and I am happy that I can continue as a spiritual director on
this land.
So if meeting with a spiritual director is something that
sounds beneficial to you or if you know of someone who is looking for a spiritual director, my door is open. May God richly bless you in the new year.
Cathy
Cathy Crawford
(360) 852-6882
We have this model in the church: teaching and guidance through sermons--sometimes the Spirit directs someone--prayer or bible meetings where we all share, or seeking counsel in a time of severe need or perplexity. Not much there of just having a spiritual tuneup with one on one help. I think this sounds promising. "May you always do for others and let other do for you." (Dylan, Forever Young)
ReplyDelete