Why Spiritual Direction?

Modern Christianity as taught and practiced in the United States, with its focus on hyper-paced activity, is not producing the kind of transformation the Bible calls for. Today’s Christians experience a shallow inner life in part because they have lost the spiritual practices of the early Church specifically designed to create intimacy between the believer and their Savior.  The result is an impoverished soul, lacking identification as the beloved of Christ. 

When communion between the soul and its Savior is disconnected or shallow, one’s true identity [segullah], purpose, and direction is weak.  It seeks fulfillment in external achievements, material things, or intellectual prowess, none of which ultimately satisfies the soul.  External living drowns out the inner life, the soul, where the believer experiences God’s love, care, and direction, mostly because Christians have not been taught how to nourish their souls. The body of Christ must not ignore the inner life of one’s soul because it is where a Christian’s true identity is found: that identity being the beloved of Christ. 

Care of the soul is essential for healthy spiritual development. This is where the renewal of the whole person occurs: from the inside out. A rich soul life, in continual communion with our God, is how we become transformed into the image of Christ.  Through the practice of spiritual direction, the true self of the soul discovers that it is noticed, valued, cherished, and deeply loved by their heavenly Father.  This is where true spiritual transformation occurs--in the presence of God, receiving the gift of his love.

Fruit for the soul that receives spiritual direction includes advancing the quality of their love for themselves, for God, and for others, growing discernment in hearing God’s voice and direction for their lives, and gaining understanding in their unique vocation and authentic service to others.

"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."  

- 2 Cor. 3:18