At the outset of the week of classes, we were led to pick up a random card from the altar we were gathered around for worship. Upon picking up the card, we were encouraged to look at the word on it and the "definition" of it on the opposite side. If it felt right, we were to embrace this word and it's meaning as our theme for the week. My card:
I had to laugh when I got it. Courage. I have never considered myself very courageous - mostly because I am not adventurous and I often lumped the two words together. Then I read the other side of the card:
Whoa. To this, I could relate. The life events that got me to that circle of worship were filled with courage - perhaps not in facing anything particularly dangerous, but in how it called upon my inner strength and determination to take the necessary steps. The sharing and vulnerability I was about to allow myself to do during a week of classes full of people I didn't know was also going to take great courage. As I embraced this word and its meaning, I found myself stepping out and offering myself in ways completely out of my old comfort zone. As I allowed the theme of "courage" to settle within me, and as I risked my inner-self with people I didn't know, I was blown away by the grace and blessing I experienced. Truly, I can never doubt that God led me to this place in this time of life, as God's provision, blessing, and affirmation has been made clear throughout the process. I can only hope that in the years ahead, I continue to be aware of and ever thankful for it.
This card of courage came home with me from my week at the Mount. It serves as a beautiful and bold reminder of where I have been and where I am going. It reminds me that it wasn't my own courage or doing that has gotten me here, but that of God who walks beside me, before me and behind me.
What word would you claim for yourself at this point in life? While this isn't the word I would have chosen for myself, it certainly fits. How are you seeing God in your life? Maybe you are being called to be about reconciliation, responsibility, loyalty or prayer. Maybe you are being challenged by justice, leadership, peace or prophecy. Not sure what word fits you right now? Ask a few of those close to you - I am sure they will be able to offer words for how they see you in this world. Once you find a word, or it finds you, I invite you to pray it into your life -- whether it is something to embrace or to be released from. As you do this, be prepared for God's amazing work to be seen.
This is just another way for us to be made aware of the many ways God is at work within us and God's creation. Rather than being thankful for "everything," I found the experience of having a theme word helped me to focus in on the ways God was and is present to me around a singular topic. God is ALWAYS with us, we just need to be helped along in some of the ways we acknowledge and recognize God at work within us. And that, my friends, is what spiritual direction is all about.
