Spiritual Direction
The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
-Isaiah 58:11 (NIV)
WHAT IS SPIRITUAL DIRECTION?
Spiritual direction is a form of holy listening and attending to the Spirit of God in one’s daily life. It is an intentional relationship where a trained spiritual director/listener companions with you as you reflect on your own experience, and God’s leading and relationship to you. In direction overtime, your ability to pay attention and respond to God’s voice increases. The spiritual director listens to both to you and the Holy Spirit offering reflective questions and insightful noticing to help you discern where God’s invitations of deeper relationship with you.
Grafted Life, a spiritual formation organization, provides an article describing the value of spiritual direction in one’s life with God. Additionally, they have published a post with a working definition of “spiritual formation”.
““One thing I know so well now is that through spiritual direction, I’ve learned to call on and depend on Jesus, and not get caught up in my head about my sin and errors. Spiritual direction is truly teaching me what “living with Jesus” is all about. I am able to get out of my head and lean on Him without any shame and His Holy Spirit brings that soothing peace to my heart, mind, and flesh. He truly is an ever-present help in time of need and despair.””
WHAT HAPPENS IN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION?
Whatever is on your heart for that session determines the discussion for the session. I have no pre-conceived agenda for the session. My role is to listen, provide understanding, and be with you in your story, ask questions to help you process through it, and discern for promptings of the Holy Spirit during our time.
““Spiritual direction has been continuing process of my life journey which has led me to become more Christ-centered life. There has been lots of “putting off “and “putting on” in this process that has directed me on the way of brokenness, but also freedom in Christ””
““When I first was required to go to spiritual direction, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was required for a seminary class at Talbot and perhaps as someone who was more on the introverted side, I was nervous about processing my thoughts externally with someone I didn’t know. Now, looking back, I can’t thank God enough for having allowed me to have a spiritual director (Janice), who not only sat with me to listen to my “rants,” but prayerfully helped me wrestle through the things I had in my heart before the Lord. Spiritual direction is not about being reliant on a spiritual director, but rather, encouraged me to true and deeper dependence on my Lord Savior, Jesus Christ.””
IS THIS COUNSELING OR MENTORING?
No, spiritual direction is not therapy, discipleship, or mentoring. As a spiritual director, I am a co-discerner, co-listener to help you discover God’s movement in your life. I do not diagnose or “fix” issues, prescribe a certain way of living or tell you want to do. It is different from mentoring in that my focus is on your relationship to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit - vs. what direction or course of life you should take.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO BEGIN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION?
To begin, I like to set up an introductory 30 minute Zoom call so that we can jointly discern if this is a good fit for you. I do not charge you for the introductory call/meeting. After the introductory meeting, you decide if you would like to begin spiritual direction and schedule a session.
Sessions are 50 minutes long. Typically, we would meet monthly, every 3 weeks at the most on a mutually convenient schedule.
In-person visits are preferred, but I have met with directees in other time regional zones, countries, continents by Zoom with great presence.
The session fee is $75.
Email about an introductory session or with any questions.
MY SPIRITUAL DIRECTION PRACTICE AND COMMITMENT:
I am committed to a practice of safety and confidentiality, and continued learning in the field of spiritual formation and soul care.
I am also in supervision by a more experienced spiritual director and meet with my spiritual director monthly.
I am a member of the Evangelical Spiritual Director Association (ESDA).
I have a Masters degree in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from Talbot Seminary, Biola University and also serve at Biola at the Center for Spiritual Renewal, practicing spiritual direction for graduate students and Biola University staff.
For background on me, see my Bio.