Rule of Life. It’s a concept meant to guide us towards wholeness, life, and connection with God.
Yet sometimes words—like the word ‘rule’—are tethered to a connotation due to our story, and no matter how much effort we put in, the word is not helpful.
Growing up in an environment that felt legalistic, rules do not feel life-giving, despite my natural tendency to be a rule-follower. It’s a fascinating tension to live in.
“Rule of Life” also feels wooden and static to me, which is not the intention.
Some helpful rephrasing for me is “Rhythm of Life,” or just not having a title for it at all. The focus is on posture and desire. What does it take to be formed into the image of Jesus for the sake of others?
For me, it is thinking through my current season, the unique invitations I sense from God, and the goals I have for myself and my family, and setting up a helpful framework.
We often do this with our career, family, or health, but we then forego intentionality in our spiritual life.
How can we be intentional, from a freedom of possibilities instead of the weight of “shoulds?”
What does that look like for me in this current season? Here are a few of my goals and rhythms, which I reassess on a regular basis, that I’m pursuing while feeling the constant breeze of grace.
Shifting from Scarcity Mindset to Abundance Mindset
I first start with the invitation. What is God stirring in me and how am I trying to grow? In a season where I have felt more fear, anxiety, and the weight of expectations, I have been thinking through Matthew 11:30: “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
How do I wake up each morning with expectancy and hope instead of fear and worry? How do I surrender and trust a loving God amid uncertainty?
I know I follow an abundant God, but my default mode reveals my fear that God will not be enough. I have created a few rhythms this season to partner with God in shifting my mindset.
Gratitude
I start each day, as I get out of bed and stumble towards the coffee maker, with gratitude. I go through all the things I’m thankful for, which is a long list. It’s amazing how easy it is to forget blessings when there are one or two things that feel painful or worrisome. Starting with gratitude puts things in perspective and naturally fosters joy.
Prayer Walks
Knowing my thoughts can tend to ruminate on worries in the morning, I’ve started a 20-minute prayer walk as soon as the coffee is ready. I have my Yeti cup ready and my shoes at the door to eliminate the decision as I start a new habit. I start the walk with the simple phrase, Lord, I’m listening.” I give freedom to the time, allowing my thoughts to be guided by the Holy Spirit. Each morning, I end up praying about different things, but they are focused on others, which pushes out my own worries. This has matched my goal of praying more, believing God wants our best.
Scripture
I always feel the pull to read Scripture for breadth instead of depth, mainly because there are so many passages that seem vital. But I’m in a season where I’m reading a few passages on hope, freedom, and dependence that I want to embrace and live out. I’m staying in them long enough for them to change me. I read other Scripture as well, but I try to incorporate and memorize the same few passages.
Technology
One that I am trying and have modified multiple times, with new guardrails and motivations, is a limit on technology. The reason I keep revising this part of my “rhythm of life” is that I keep failing. The habits and addiction run deep, and I seem to regress after a few days. Yet I know I need less time researching and consuming information, and more time reflecting and observing. This one might require more accountability or camaraderie to make some headway.
Alongside this, I have some goals for exercise and running, drinking water and cutting out snacks, being present with my kids during car rides, and praying more consistently through a list of people.
But I often have one theme that guides my “rule of life” for that season. And although slower than I want, I always see fruit.
How is God inviting you to grow? What could you put into place to help you respond to God’s invitation?