The Spiritual Life is a Journey
One Thing You Need to Know Occasionally, people who know that I am a Spiritual Director ask me, “What’s the one thing spiritual se...
Occasionally, people who know that I am a Spiritual Director ask me, “What’s the one thing spiritual seekers need to know?”
That’s a big question, and over the years, I’ve certainly gained many important insights. There are lists of basic principles, foundational truths, practical tips, helpful techniques, and a wealth of spiritual practices. Along with these, we find common pitfalls, hang-ups, and traps. What is most important to the seeker is conditional, based on where she or he is in life and how God is healing and drawing that soul.
So I am hard pressed to boil everything down to one single statement, but here goes. Even though every human life is unique, there is one thing that could have universal value. And it’s so simple, you’d think everyone knows it. But in my experience, not everyone fully grasps it, at least not in a way that truly shapes how they live their lives. That principle is, “The Spiritual Life is a Journey.”
In other words, the spiritual life is a process of discovery and becoming.
Here’s the bottom line: I’ve never met a person who experienced a “one-and-done, miraculous transformation.” I’ve never witnessed someone who was struggling to “live the life of faith” one minute and then, the next minute, “perfectly transformed – ready for heaven.”
I’m not saying that’s impossible — at least, not for God. But it might be impossible for most of us. And honestly, it can be debilitating to measure yourself against such an expectation.
The Truth for most is that we grow slowly. Through ups and downs. By fits and starts (mostly fits). It’s more of an extended journey than an instantaneous leap.
Maybe that’s why there are so many stories about journeys in the Judeo-Christian tradition.
I could list more, but you get the point. The Bible is full of journeys.
As with any intentional journey, you need to know a few things to make the trip:
What is the intended destination of the spiritual life anyway? Where do you hope to “arrive”? There are many ways to answer that question. We can find a big clue in scripture itself.
In the Gospel of John, one of the last things on Jesus’ mind was that his disciples and later followers (including you and me), would come to experience intimate connection with each other and with God — even to realize the same profound union with God that Jesus himself experienced.
Here’s how he expressed it:
“I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us…” (John 17:20-21)
How does reading those words of Jesus make you feel? Does some deep desire stir within you -awakening an inner longing? Or, do doubts flood in your mind? (Or perhaps a bit of both?)
It seems to me that connection, oneness, and communion with God is the intended outcome of a truly spiritual life. That is where we are going; our spiritual destination, so to speak.
But sadly, for most sincere seekers, this profound oneness with others and God is not yet their experience – not by a long shot. In fact, some estimate that perhaps 85% of Christian followers never experience this or any of the truly life-changing parts of the journey.
And, after hundreds — if not thousands — of conversations I’ve had with spiritual seekers, I’ve noticed the same reality.
Now you may be different than most, but based on experience, it’s quite likely that you haven’t yet discovered some of the most transformative experiences of Christian spirituality – simply because you have not made a transition into the second half of your spiritual life.
So, in answer to the common question, the first thing I would want spiritual seekers to know is this: The Spiritual Journey is One Journey… but it has two distinct halves, or experiences.
Let that sink in for a moment: One Journey – Two Experiences.
Truthfully, I wonder how different things might have been for me if I had known this from the start. But I can’t recall a Sunday school class, catechism lesson, sermon, or homily that mentioned such a thing. Can you?
Why didn’t anyone tell me? Were they hiding something? Did they know? I’m not sure.
But what I do know is this, psychology has recognized the wisdom of this truth… for some time.
Carl Jung once said:
“One cannot live the afternoon of life according to the program of life’s morning; for what was great in the morning will be of little importance in the evening,and what in the morning was true will at evening become a lie.” – C. G. Jung, The Structure and Dynamics of the Psyche (1960)
And, one thing I’ve learned from listening to others in spiritual conversation is that very few people have a functional understanding of the second half of their spiritual life. Without this awareness, they reasonably expect to navigate their entire spiritual life using the same tools and methods they learned in the early stages. But that doesn’t work so well, precisely because the journey is different in the second half.
Maybe you’re beginning your journey with God, just discovering that there is something bigger than yourself. You are just recognizing the reality of God. If so, welcome to the beginnings of your journey in God!
Or you might still be learning the ropes of belonging to a faith community, gaining understanding of God’s principles, and finding ways to serve others. If this is you, Congratulations! You are on the path, so invest fully in this stage of your spiritual life. Get plugged in, learn about God and community, and find ways to help others.
Remember: Everyone takes the first steps of the journey well before the last. If what I say below does not apply to you. Don’t worry, it will later. But for now, don’t rush ahead into the second half before completing the first. The foundational steps of the spiritual life are vital and will set the stage for what comes next. But if you have been seeking God awhile, keep reading the rest of this article may apply to you.
Let me share some observations about the spiritual journey and it’s two halves – from The Critical Journey: Stages in the Life of Faith, by Robert A. Guelich & Janet O. Hagberg.
Oh, and one more thing: Historically, much of the Western church has focused only on the first half of the journey, leaving individuals to navigate the rest on their own.
But here’s the good news: You don’t have to figure it out on your own.
That’s why I’m doing this – to support you on your journey.
In the Spirit Mind Body course, we put together 16 modules that help guide you through the Spiritual Journey, helping you understand “where you are” and “where God is calling you to be.”
I’d love to chat with you personally, about your spiritual life and see if the resources of the Spirit Mind Body course might be a “good next step” for you.
Note: This consultation is normally valued at $100 USD. But I am offering it to you as my gift. No obligation whatsoever.
I only ask that you come into the conversation sincerely seeking to deepen your connection with God.
Book a Free Consultation to find out how to make the transition into the second half of your life in God
