In our last post, Jessica probed the nagging question that most of us face at one time or another, “Am I stuck?” and the implied question that follows, “What do I do if I feel stuck?” Then she gave four practical steps that we can take right now. She also referenced the Workmatters Institute and shared the link to our upcoming cohorts. Today, I want to lean into that a little more.

The steps to growing and changing are pretty simple. (Not easy – but simple).

Dallas Willard says that these steps apply to learning a new language, Alcoholics Anonymous, or spiritual transformation.

When you feel like things are askew (1) and you realize that your approach to work needs to change (2), and you’ve decided to do something about it (3) – the Workmatters Institute has been the means (4) for hundreds of people from across the U.S. and around the world. God used the online or in-person community to bring about a necessary breakthrough.

Maybe that’s a step you need to take today.

But maybe you feel like you are in the middle of a seismic shift. Maybe you’re not sure what is going on in your spiritual and vocational journey. Maybe you’ve already tried everything Jessica suggested and more. What then?

Maybe you need to consider Spiritual Direction. At its most basic level Spiritual Direction is a prayerful conversation with a trained listener to identify God’s activity in your life. When we honestly and vulnerably share what’s happening in our lives with a skillful companion, patterns will emerge that we don’t often see or hear ourselves. The spiritual director is there to help identify what we call the 3-R’s of our journey with God:

Spiritual Direction is not new even though you may be unfamiliar with it. Throughout scripture and church history we see sacred friendship as a means of spiritual transformation. It is not authoritarian. Spiritual direction does not place anyone between the directee and God. The word “direction” may give the impression that one person is placed above the other, but the true director is the Holy Spirit. And Spiritual Direction is not discipleship. While there is personal accountability and suggestions may be offered, Spiritual Direction is more companionship than teaching, giving moral guidance, or instruction.I’ve been a spiritual director for a dozen years and it is part of my ongoing walk with Christ. As you ponder if Spiritual Direction might be a good next step for you, I would welcome a conversation and happy to share more about this ancient Christian practice.

dharvey@workmatters.org