Thoughts on Guidance
by Debbie Poer
Like a few of the other spiritual disciplines, guidance or spiritual direction is one we do not often think about or discuss as a discipline. And as so often happens when the topic of spiritual disciplines is mentioned, when we speak of guidance we immediately jump to the world of Eastern thought and spirit guides who help one find their inner wisdom.
But as followers of Jesus, if we are truly on a path to having a better understanding of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and how we are to live and interact with them, the discipline of guidance is of great importance and is far more than drawing on our own inner wisdom.
For Christ-followers guidance begins with the practice of developing a relationship with God that is conversational and has the goal of becoming more Christ-like in our thoughts and actions. It also requires that we interact with one another – one on one as mentor to mentee and in a group/team/committee with a common desire for unity.
Like all of the other spiritual disciplines, guidance begins with a practice of silence. If I’m busy telling God how I want him to use my life, how will I ever hear him tell me not only what his will for my life is, but also how I am to adjust my life to his will? Philippians 2:13 reminds us, “It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” In their study Experiencing God, Henry Blackaby, Richard Blackaby, and Claude King express it this way, “Understanding what God is about to do where I am is more important than telling God what I want to do for him.” As we spend time in studying God’s Word and in prayer, developing a deep relationship with him, we become more attuned to listening to what he has to say to us. And we begin to trust that he does desire the best for us and his plans for us are good. We learn we can take to heart God’s words to Jeremiah, “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” Jeremiah 29:11.
While Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the perfect spiritual directors, leading us to the heart of God and into living as the image he created us to be, we also know that God speaks to us and gives us guidance through other people. That is why there is great value in having a friend or someone who can speak into our lives, giving us direction. Whether it’s a trusted friend who is also a Christ-follower or a spiritual director, we each need someone who can help us deepen our faith walk and guide us in making life decisions. I have one particular friend who I turn to when I need someone to be very honest to help me sort through the parts of life I’m struggling with. She is not someone chosen lightly “because I like her,” but she has been my chosen person because I know her guidance is based on her faith and knowledge of God’s working in our lives.
As I think about guidance and spiritual direction, I’m also drawn to the fact that I am sometimes called to serve in that role for someone. When I have the opportunity to speak into the life of another person, I must do it with great care. Because the first thought or response that comes to mind is not always the best, I must be prepared to sit with the person, listen well, and then ask God to guide me in my response. It is not often that an immediate response is needed, and I must keep that in mind.
As ministry and church leaders we are called to serve in unity. There is no greater way to do that than to ask for and trust the leading of the Holy Spirit. When we set aside our personal agenda and allow the Holy Spirit to lead our conversations and meetings, we are asking for guidance to make God-honoring decisions. When we begin operating in unity rather than majority rule, we make wise decisions not only for today but for the future.
I would encourage you over the coming days to dig deeper into the discipline of guidance or spiritual direction. Who might you look to as a spiritual director in your life? What would your life look like if you listened and responded because of something God spoke to you? Or what would it look like if you another person spoke into your life (and you listened)? Would your life be different? Would your service in the name of Jesus be different?
I think I have just challenged myself…
