Experiencing Jesus in the dailyness of life can be so transforming. Much of our work with men in spiritual direction is this. But what if you could go back and experience Him through all the stages of your life? What would happen if He infused His presence there, especially in the hard and painful moments?
This is the basis for something we now offer to men called Developmental Soul Care. Think of it as an epic inner adventure. Let’s start with why we need this.
The cracked foundation
There are.a number of developmental stages we all go through, starting in the womb and ending as grown men. Each stage has its own skills and truths that an individual needs to learn in order to move well into succeeding stages. Think of it as laying a solid foundation upon which other things can be built.
The problem lies in every story I have ever heard. The foundation has cracks, missing stones, misaligned angles, or simply gaping holes. We do not grow develop in an ideal world, but one in which sin and evil still cast a malignant spell. Having attentive, loving parents is helpful, but even the best of parents miss what their kids need at times.
The imperfect foundation then creates stuck places in our lives. We fall into patterns we can’t break attended with emotions we can’t shake. We relate to others in ways that are neither healthy nor holy. Fear and shame still seem to hold the trump card, whatever our resolve to change.
The three pillars
But the presence of Jesus can enter into the darkest places we hold and bring change. Developmental Soul Care, or DSC, helps a man encounter Jesus through its three pillars.
Pillar #1 – The Spiritual Practices. Each developmental stage has specific Scripture, prayer, and worship music in which to engage. Experiencing the Lord here is foundational to the next two pillars.
Pillar #2 – The Creative Practices. Various ways of being creative are encouraged, expressing what the Lord is doing inside of you. These can include various ways of journaling, drawing, building things, and many others.
Pillar #3 – The Developmental Practices. With each stage comes affirmations appropriate to the stage. Based on Scripture, they are the voice of the loving Father speaking truth into you.
The epic inner adventure
Men say they love adventures until they actually go on one. Then they are not so sure. By their nature, adventures move us into unknown territory, bringing surprises and challenges.
This is certainly the case with Developmental Soul Care. It is nothing other than an epic inner adventure. When a man launches out into it, God will meet him in ways he couldn’t imagine, changing him in ways he didn’t think possible. It is exciting, harrowing at times, and always beautiful.
There is a caution I always give. You are being asked to become what you are not now. By definition, you don’t know the way. So you have to let go of control and be patiently led through the valleys, over the peaks, and into the wide, broad places of Jesus’ presence and love.
This was certainly the case with my journey through Developmental Soul Care. Early in the journey, the Father met me in ways I had never experienced before. My inner world began to flip upside-down. I have never been the same since. And I’m so glad!
Starting the adventure
To start this adventure, there are a couple of practicalities to consider. You need to have daily time set aside to walk through the three pillars. And you meet with a DSC provider (like me) twice a month to experience Jesus again through Scripture as well as to process what has been happening recently.
I love providing DSC for men. One other man on our team, Charlie Collins, also loves to provide it as well. Interested to hear more? Contact me. I can field questions and tell you more about my personal adventure through DSC.
Remember, your past doesn’t have to define you. When you walk with Jesus back through your story, He will start defining you and creating the new man in you. He loves to do this. That’s why He came!
Bill
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