I've been going back through some old notes over the last few weeks, and I ran across this list I at one time put together (I think it was from various sources, but may have come out of a particular lecture...sorry not to have better footnotes). It was meant to be guidelines for spiritual directors, but I wonder if some of these transfer over into our daily interactions with each other. What would it mean to listen to each other in this way, with God's heart continually before us? What do you think? Over the top? Impossible? Freeing? It is a good reminder that we are all works in progress, and that God will continue to uncover our own weakness and growth edges for the rest of our lives.
I am so glad that we are surrounded by his grace and mercy.
The director should approach a one-to-one session prepared in specific ways:
Through prayer, anticipate receiving the person as one for whom Christ died.
Become aware of any personal bias or partiality that might operate in this particular situation, such as gender, ethnicity, or appearance, Be aware of how the directee's issues or situation might parallel your own, triggering your own unresolved tensions. Be attentive to anything that might lead you to favour a particular outcome over what God might want to do or say.
Be in touch with your own temptations, foibles, and sins of the past, so that nothing shared is likely to surprise, offend, tempt, shock or undo you.
I've been thinking a lot lately about the differing streams and approaches to the Christian's life with Christ. I find myself sometimes wondering what it would look like if we could really hear and learn from other Christians who think differently. If each of us sees through a glass dimly (which funnily enough is found in the midst of the "God is love" chapter, 1 Cor. 13), it seems that we would really benefit from paying attention to what others see of God in the world.
I have listened to many voices this week. This one says the Bible isn't literal, that one says that a particular part of Ezekiel means Christ is coming back within the next 5 years. One says the "emerging church" is dangerous, another says the "traditional church" is a farce. Someone says John Piper is a heretic, and another says Rob Bell will lead to the destruction of the Church. And then there are the voices inside my head: You've not done enough...you question too much...you haven't rested enough...you've rested too much! Aaaaah!