One of the big picture items I'm reflecting on during my sabbatical is - what changes need to be made to my rhythm of life? I'm journalling a bunch of thoughts, ideas, scriptures, questions from other people, and trusting the Lord to make sense of it just before I return. I will then define my new 'rule of life' that represents how I have discerned I can best follow Christ as son of God, husband, father, pastor, member of society. My 'rule of life' is the annual compilation of what my schedule, priorities, spiritual disciplines, etc will look like. I'm currently wrestling through how to make more time for play, for writing, and for just hanging with and mentoring people as we follow Jesus together. Here's my introduction of the subject from a few years ago when we held a sermon series on the subject:
Our new sermon series could be subtitled with the phrase i revealed late in last week's message: Rule of Life. What does that mean? "A Rule of Life consists of a set of established agreements made by an individual as aspirations to God regarding spiritual practice. To adopt a Rule of Life is to provide structure for one's own spiritual journey."
I conceive of my entire walk with Christ, my entire ministry, my whole life, through the lens of my own annually-changing, unique-to-me Rule of Life written in my journal (and no you can't read it) . The beginning of this idea for me came when I was a sophomore in college, and a freshman asked me to mentor him spiritually (because I was sooo much older and wiser). I chose for us to read together Richard Foster's new book, The Celebration of Discipline. This was a groundbreaking book, recapturing the ages-old concept of classic spiritual disciplines for contemporary American Christianity (the book was named one of the most influential of the 20th century in Christianity Today magazine). Later, in the late 1990's i read (and preached through) John Ortberg's book, The Life You've Always Wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People. Ortberg's final chapter was "Developing Your Own Rule of Life," which may have been the first time I took on the rule of life as an overarching way of thinking about the various spiritual practices and disciplines God had called into my life.
In 2005 I spent a week at the Celtic Christian monastery in England called The Northumbria Community ( www.northumbriacommunity.org ). After reading their booklet, A Way for Living: Introducing the Rule of the Northumbria Community, I have ever since annually constructed my own unique (unique to me, to my stage of life, to my roles in life, to my goals and passion for any given year) Rule of Life. And I long for you to benefit from this historic and wise understanding of spiritual growth.
I will touch on this more in the sermon series this month, and in future blogs. For now, here are a few excerpts from booklet defining the concept more helpfully, and at the end I give a very radical, modern example:
"A Rule of Life...says 'this is who we are, this is our story,' it reminds us of those things God has put on our hearts, calling us back to our foundations...It serves as a framework for freedom--not as a set of rules that restrict or deny life, but as a way of living out our calling alone and together. It is rooted in Scripture, pointing always to Christ; and, in the words of St. Benedict, it is 'simply a handbook to make the very radical demands of the gospel a practical reality in daily life.'"
"Each community, (person, church) or monastic order has its own particular areas of strength, calling and emphasis...Their Rule of Life will reflect this emphasis (uniquely to each person or community). A Rule of Life is a means whereby, under God, we take responsibility for the pattern of our spiritual lives. It is a 'measure' rather than a 'law.' The word 'rule' has bad connotations for many, implying...legalistic attitudes. But a Rule of Life is essentially about freedom. It helps us to stay centered, bringing perspective and clarity to the way of life to which God has called us."
"The word 'Rule' derives from the Latin 'regula' which means 'rhythm, regularity of pattern, a recognizable standard' for the conduct of life. The word for Rule has a double root-meaning in English; one is that of a 'signpost' which has a purpose of pointing away from itself so as to inform a traveler that they are going in the right direction on their journey...The other root meaning is that of a 'bannister railing' which is something that gives support as you move forward on your journey."
"A Rule of Life is meant to be a spur to growth. It can be likened to a stake (or trellis) used to hold up a plant. By providing structure and support to the plant, it enables the plant to grow quickly and healthily...A Rule of Life works best when it challenges us. It can't be so easy that we are not stretched: but neither can it be so demanding that we have difficulty even meeting its minimum standards...If it becomes hard to follow, becomes a burden or causes you feelings of guilt, then give it up--it is not for you."
Most of you already have a few well-defined spiritual practices that function as part of your personal Rule of Life, you just haven't though of it that way. I know one family that is called by God to live radically peaceful, sabbath-oriented lives in the midst of an insanely busy anti-God high performance culture for kids. So they have a few 'rules' or rhythms by which they make decisions every new season, such as 'each child in this family can only be involved in one activity per season.' They have heard a radical call from God in their identity, and have taken the time to describe that call in this particular scheduling committment that serves as a bannister, a hand-rail, a guide when every new request from school/sports/church/stuff bombards them as parents and kids. That's what I'm talking about in real, everyday living.
In a future post, I'll give you more provocative quotes on the paradoxical nature of a Rule of Life to construct freedom and enable love. In the meantime - peace to you on your journey with Christ today.
