One of the blessings of traveling in ministry is experiencing the variety of daily schedules set forth at different camps, conferences, retreats, and Christian Ashrams. The shared schedule brings a rhythm I long for in my daily life at home. These schedules incorporate my whole person: physical, emotional, mental, relational, and spiritual. The whole group using the same schedule gives accountability, discipline, encouragement, and fellowship. I find this rhythm giving order to my life on a personal level, while bringing my life into harmony with other people.
One of my Words for 2024 is “Rhythm.” Rhythm is defined as movement, fluctuation, or variation marked by the regular recurrence or natural flow of related elements; the aspect of music comprising all the elements (such as accent, meter, and tempo) that relate to forward movement.
There are two keys in this definition of rhythm:
When I study the life of Jesus and look at the experience of the disciples and early church, I note there are certain behaviors or habits that played an important role in their lives. In Luke 4:16, “When he [Jesus] came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue, as was his custom…” In Acts 17:1-2 we read, “When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures.” Finally, in Acts 3:1 we read, “One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.” Each of these occurrences were part of a regular recurrence or habit bringing rhythm to Jesus’ life and the life of the disciples and early church.
The regular recurrence brought about a growing faith and the spreading of the Gospel to new places and to new people. The rhythm of following Jesus in a disciplined way bore fruit. This transformation in their life spread to other people.
In 2024, I desire rhythm in my life that will bring about a growth in my walk with Jesus, in my relationship with other people, and in my growing knowledge of God’s purpose for me. The rhythm I desire incorporates my whole being: physical, mental, emotional, relational, and spiritual. The rhythm requires me to confess bad habits, repent, and create new habits that will bring the progress needed in my life. This will only occur through the power of the Holy Spirit at work and my willingness to invite others to hold me accountable to the schedule.
How is the Holy Spirit at work in your life, inviting you to a new schedule, new habits, and a new rhythm to life? What habits need to be confessed and new habits undertaken to bring growth in your walk with Jesus?
Prayer: Thank you, Lord for inviting me into an ordered life of rhythm. Thank you for the growth that occurs when I am living in the rhythm of discipline. Show me places where bad habits reside keeping me from growing in my relationship with you, with others, and with myself. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.