Spiritual Rhythms

Over the past month and a half, I’ve shared with you a number of different spiritual disciplines to consider practicing. I still have several more for you in the weeks ahead. Each of these disciplines are different means of deepening your relationship with God.  Perhaps all these different practices seem overwhelming. How can someone possibly fit so many spiritual activities into an already busy life? To answer that question, I want to pause this week to talk about spiritual rhythms.
 
Spiritual rhythms are your regular pattern of connecting with God. Take a moment to think of your current spiritual rhythms. What are you doing on a regular basis to nourish your soul and grow in relationship with God? For years I struggled to have any consistency in connecting with God. Even when I had decent daily rhythms, I never considered the possibilities beyond that: what would it look to have a rhythm of connecting with God that included daily, weekly, monthly and even quarterly/annual activities. Your relationship with God is similar to any other relationship. If you spend time with someone an hour every day, you’ll develop a steady friendship; but if, on top of that, every summer you go on a week-long vacation with that person, you’re friendship is bound to take on a whole new level of depth.
 
Here’s an example of what a healthy spiritual rhythm might look like:

• Daily:
  • Studying/Meditating on Scripture (30 mins)
  • Intercessory Prayer (10 min)
  • Confession & Supplication (10 minutes)
  • Centering Prayer (10 min)
• Weekly:
  • Serve at church/local nonprofit
  • Attend local church service/small group
  • 1-2 hour session of prayer, worship, silence/solitude, etc.
• Monthly
  • Take one full or half day per month for extended time with God
• Quarterly/Semi-annually/annually
  • Weekend-long, week-long spiritual retreat incorporating a number of different spiritual disciplines.

The key to making a plan like this one is intentionality. Often, we make no plan for time with God beyond perhaps attending Sunday service. It’s no wonder that so many feel that they are distant or disconnected from God. Make a plan and stick to it. If married, work with your spouse on a plan that works for both of you and support each other in carrying out your individual spiritual rhythms. This might mean dad has a weekend with the kids a couple times a year so mom can have a spiritual retreat and vice versa. If instead you simply try to fit God into the margins, you’ll find you just don’t have time. In the 1980's, Stephen Covey introduced the following illustration of  how prioritizing impacts our lives. As you watch, remember that your spiritual rhythms ought to be considered a “big rock” because one way or another your relationship with God is formed in large part by your spiritual rhythms. 

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity – Responsible use of time and resources ought to be a value of all believers. Though not a “Christian” book, I found David Allen’s book on productivity to be incredibly helpful. If you need a tool to help you get life demands in order, check this book out.

Rob Reimer shares some brief words on the impact of giving thanks. https://www.facebook.com/DrRobReimer/videos/249054986497971/

Hello friends and family. Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support throughout this crazy time. We are so thankful for our GFC family. The airports in France opened up this week and we are finally heading back home to Iowa! We are so thankful for the time that we had together as a team during lockdown in France.

We’ve been using this time to create new music, and to develop new strategies for reaching the world with the love of Jesus, and we're excited for the future.

We've had to reschedule many of our upcoming outreaches (Zambia, India, and Haiti) until later in the year, but we're still committed to the goal of reaching as many people as possible in every nation with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.

Please check out our NEW website:
www.wrdofficial.com