Spiritual Direction: For Saints and Sinners

Can you recall any saints that ascended to holiness all on their own? It’s hard to think of saints as solo travelers. We usually think of St. Francis and St. Clare as a pair and St. Monica and St. Augustine were mother and son. This October, Bl. Louis and Zelie Martin, the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux will also be canonized. Countless saints were married to another holy person or in religious communities that enabled them to have a strong Christian community. We need companions on this journey that is often unclear and spiritual direction can be very beneficial as we continue in our relationship with God.

A spiritual director isn’t someone who can give you answers. He or she will ask questions to help you determine how God is speaking to you and to help you determine how you are listening. His role is to assist you in determining the answers that God may be giving you through different means and can assist you in seeing events in your life or your thoughts from a different perspective. As you bring up your challenges in making an important decision, say, about a career change, your spiritual director can help you figure out how to proceed in your discernment.
Sometimes spiritual direction will be a necessary reality check—and not a pretty one. Thankfully, a good spiritual director will keep you accountable to your prayer life. That is where everything comes back to –  your time with the Lord. A good spiritual director will gently but firmly remind you of the path you need to follow. Other times spiritual direction will help you find clarity that you are on the right road, even though the path may be dark.

In the past, you may have tried to speak with a person you admired for his wisdom—and found the experience lacking. Even though a person may be very holy, personalities don’t always line up. Sometimes you might meet with multiple people before you find someone well-suited to you. That’s ok! In order for the experience to nurture your walk with God, it is imperative to find someone who understands where your perspective and with whom you feel comfortable.

Don’t be intimidated by the prospect of spiritual direction. I have found it to be positive and insightful, especially with a well-chosen spiritual director. Spiritual direction is for everyone. Whether you are new to the Christian life or a monk who has lived in a monastery for thirty years, you can benefit from talking with someone wiser and learned in the things of God. If you are seeking to deepen your relationship with God or wondering where to go at the fork in the road, I encourage you to look into this avenue. A spiritual director well-suited to you will help you to stay on the right road and to navigate the sometimes murky and choppy waters of the spiritual life. If you would like a solid resource for finding a spiritual director or more resources for spiritual growth, check out spiritualdirection.com. May the Holy Spirit lead and guide you on your journey closer to Him!