Spiritual direction for living a new creation pilgrimage

Welcome. My name is Bart Newton. Eighth Day Direction is a ministry of spiritual direction for living a new creation pilgrimage. Let me share with you why this ministry is called “Eighth Day Direction”, what spiritual direction is, for whom it might benefit, and what it looks like in practice.

Why “Eighth Day Direction”?

Sunday, the first day of the week, is the first day of God’s Creation. Later, the resurrection of Jesus on the first day of the week changed everything, for it was the beginning of God’s renewal of creation. Since Sunday follows the seventh day of the week, Saturday, some early Christians began referring to it as the Eighth Day, signifying the inauguration of God’s kingdom, a new era, which King Jesus will consummate when He returns. 

Followers of Jesus experience becoming a part of God’s new creation, empowered to live new lives (Romans 6:4; 2 Corinthians 5:17). With this newness, comes the opportunity for transformational intimacy with God: Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him (Col 3:10 NLT). Therefore, being a new creation and dearly loved child of God brings with it a new direction for being and living. It provides not only the assurance of God’s holy and loving presence, but also opportunity to be present to God and noticing His movement in your new life journey. Having a new life direction embraces the longing for which the psalmist prayed, 

Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way (Psalm 119:37 MSG).

In short, becoming a new creation means walking in a new direction and becoming more attuned to the inner, life-giving presence and promptings of God. Therefore, the name of this spiritual direction ministry, Eighth Day Direction, reflects the new era in which Christians live in light of Christ’s resurrection, having become new creations through Him, and experiencing ongoing renewal as we learn to know, follow and become like our Creator.

Spiritual Direction Defined

As a Christian spiritual director, I seek to companion with Christians (directees) with the purpose of helping them discover how God is and has been attending to and directing their new creation lives. Meeting one on one with directees either in-person or virtually, they are given permission to be still in an environment conducive to prayerful conversation that is alert to God’s presence. As a friend of mine once said, “Spiritual direction is holding holy space for listening to God.” 

There is no one precise way to define or think about spiritual direction. Therefore, here are a few that may prove helpful, keeping in mind that the Holy Spirit is the true Director: 

  • Christian spiritual direction is the companioning of one Christian (director) with another Christian (directee) to help the latter be attentive, welcoming, and responsive to God’s direction for his or her life journey. As Sue Pickering writes, In spiritual direction, [spiritual directors] help directees notice the signposts on the way, and make choices at a crossroads. We sit with them, tending the campfire, when they are stuck; we celebrate when ‘arrivals’ of some sort offer a chance of rest and refreshment, and encourage them when God interrupts their complacency and invites them out on the road again (Spiritual Direction: A Practical Introduction, p. 109).

  • Spiritual direction is a prayerful, conversational way of looking at one's life as the "organic" material for discerning the presence of God. The spiritual director does not direct so much as help the directee notice “mile markers” of God's real and active presence and movement in his/her life.

  • In spiritual direction, the director accompanies the directee on his/her spiritual pilgrimage. Together the director and directee seek to notice and discover the directee’s spiritual direction from God. It is the director’s role to help the directee discern for herself/himself how God is directing her/him. The director comes alongside the directee to provide an extra set of eyes and ears. They give themselves permission to slow down, to linger, to listen, to pray. They resist any temptation to hurry it along or make things happen. 

  • Spiritual direction is not problem centered like counseling, not skill centered like mentoring, and not issue centered like coaching. While similar to these disciplines, spiritual direction centers plainly on one's relationship with God, with the intent of awakening and strengthening that relationship. 

  • Spiritual direction's purpose is to help the directee discern God's presence and purpose in the midst of her/his struggles and questions.

For Whom Is Spiritual Direction?

Those who might benefit from spiritual direction are followers of Jesus who:

  • Want to become more attentive and responsive to God’s nearness, promptings, and movement in their life.

  • Desire to know Him more deeply, love Him more intensely, follow Him more closely, and share Him more freely.

  • Feel like their soul is spiritually dry and their prayers are not going “past the ceiling”.

  • Have questions about their life’s mission, direction or vocation.

  • Seek transformation toward becoming their true self in Christ, which is to become Christlike. (Increasingly living your life like Jesus would live it if He were you.)

  • Are open to learning and practicing new spiritual contemplative exercises.

Spiritual Direction in Practice

In spiritual direction, the director, directee, and God meet on a regular basis, usually monthly for one hour, in a hospitable atmosphere either in-person or online (via Google Meet, Zoom, or WhatsApp). The spiritual director (companion) sits with the directee in unhurried, prayerful conversation asking him or her spiritually perceptive questions. The director may also offer a combination of observations, suggestions and Scriptural insights. In the company of the Holy Spirit, the directee is provided ample time for reflection in order to discover and discern the relational and transformational workings of God in his or her life.

The director may also provide spiritual formation tools for the directee to practice at his/her discretion between sessions. Directors sometimes encourage directees to keep a journal or log to record when they notice God’s presence in and direction for their daily lives. This practice is sometimes beneficial in preparing for an upcoming spiritual direction session.

The article “What Is Spiritual Direction?” by Richard Foster & Renovare Team provides additional insights into the definition and practice of spiritual direction.

Connect

If you are interested in possibly companioning with me as your spiritual director, go to First Steps to schedule an initial free consultation.