“What is a spiritual companion?” This was the question running through my mind as I read a course description at the beginning of my Doctor of Ministry training. The class was called “Spiritual Companionship” and had the subtitle “an introduction to the practice of spiritual direction.” When I read the word “director” the first thought that popped into my head was the image of an isolated Indian guru sitting on top of a mountain somewhere in the snow swept peaks of the himalayas. I also a felt a deep cynicism because of the ways that contemporary Christian leaders have abused their power. I’ve become as allergic as anyone else to the idea of someone barging into my life and telling me about all the things I’ve got wrong and which things I need to believe instead. The idea of some “director” telling me how and what to believe seems presumptuous at best and arrogant at worst.
Thankfully, Spiritual Direction resembled nothing of my fears. It turns out spiritual direction has been the most formative and fruitful experience of my spiritual journey. A spiritual director is not some sage that doles out advice on how people should live their lives, nor is a spiritual director a pious preacher that lectures on all the right things to believe. Instead, a spiritual director is a companion that prayerfully walks side by side with another person on their spiritual journey. Instead of advice or lecturing a spiritual director offers attentive listening and clarifiying questions; practices which help discern the long slow work of God in the midst of human life. We all have a spiritual journey to make and sometimes its just helps to have a companion for the road. As you may have guessed, I prefer the term “companion” because that’s exactly how I view my role. Each person’s story is a life long adventure on the journey home to God. As a certified Spiritual Director I’m eager to journey with you as we celebrate the beauties, mourn the hardships, and search for the answers that come from traveling through this country we call life.
Interested in scheduling a session? Send me a short message below and we’ll see where the road takes us from there.
*Not sure if this is right for you? Head over to the tab FAQ under Spiritual Companion for more information.
Josh Love 