3. There have been many seasons or stages in my spiritual journey.

As you reflect on your spiritual journey, can you notice changes? Describe them.

How would you describe some ways that you think of or relate to Jesus that might be different from earlier times on your journey?

Are there spiritual practices that have taken on new meaning and value for you? Are there some that are not as meaningful as before?

How would you describe your spiritual growth so far on your journey?

Who or what do you depend on to guide you further down the road in your future journey?

For most of the history of the Church there have been sages and saints, men and women, who have given themselves to noticing the ways that people grow and mature in their faith. The observations and wisdom they have passed down provide a rich reservoir of information that can assist us on our spiritual journey, especially in times when we feel confused or lost. In recent years, attention has been given to revisiting these ancient sources and learning from them.

One idea that has frequently been explored throughout the ages is the idea that that our spiritual journey has different stages or phases. Some classic attempts to describe these stages use metaphors like climbing a ladder or exploring the rooms of a castle. Others describe transitions: from purgation, to illumination, and finally union; or from outward, to dark night, and then inward.

Some modern writers have compared the spiritual journey to our human development; others have proposed an expansion to the outward-wall-inward sequence into five stages and earlier, in this curriculum, reference has been made to our journey including a changing relationship to Jesus as Savior, Lord, Teacher, and then Friend. With all these variations one may wonder, “What is the best way to describe the phases or growth of our journey?”

It is important to hold these attempts to describe these phases as “helpful possibilities” but to avoid trying to impose them or treat them as a predictor of what is to come. We are unique individuals and each of us will have our own unique spiritual journey. Our spiritual journey will encounter changes and phases that fit some of these descriptions quite well. But we should also prepare for surprises and not try to anticipate what our “next phase” might be.

If we are growing in our faith and relationship with Jesus, we should expect changes and understand these as to be good and natural evidences of our growth. What matters most is to let Jesus be our personal guide on our journey. When we allow Him to walk with us through these changes we can rest, knowing that we are safe in His presence no matter what phase we may be in.