The Rule of Life

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Do you have an intentional, thoughtful, and integrated plan to draw you closer to God?

Me neither!

Obviously I practice spiritual disciplines like prayer, study, and all the other classics. But do they accomplish exactly what I would expect of them? 

Danielle and I have reviewed Peter Scazzero's writings for the past decade. We first learned about his Emotionally Healthy Spirituality at our Fellowship's National Convention. Peter and his wife Gerry were the main speakers that year. We were moved by their testimony of how ministry, in many ways, drew them further away from God and each other! We knew immediately that we never wanted to end up in the same spot the Scazzeros found themselves in!

We repeatedly tried to implement EHS into our life and ministry rhythms. Some years, we saw tremendous success. Others? Not so much.

In 2023, I reread The Emotionally Healthy Leader. I knew I would need better spiritual practices with all that was dealt with in ministry during the pandemic. This was even when the idea of a Sabbatical began. I began a journey of implementing many new spiritual practices. 

The one that constantly alluded me was The Rule of Life.

I'm adamant about not making Christians return to the legalism of Pharisees, so the idea of a "Rule" was, at first, a challenge. The reality is that we all live by some form of Rule of life. We just are not doing it intentionally. 

What is a Rule of Life? Let me quote Peter Scazzero:
The term Rule of Life has its linguistic roots in an ancient Greek word that means "trellis". A trellis is a support structure that enables plants such as grapevine to get off the ground, grow upward, and become fruitful. It's a beautiful image of what a Rule of Life is and how it functions - ot is a support structure that helps us to grow up and abide in Christ. This in turn enables our lives to thrive spiritually and our leadership to be abundantly fruitful.

Since the start of my Sabbatical, all the reading I've been doing have focused on The Rule of Life in one way or another. Ok Lord! I get it. I'll look at this more closely.

That's what I've been doing for the past 4 weeks. I have been praying and learning how this tool can be used to draw me closer to the Father and allow him to bear more fruit in my life.

Here is the first draft of RevKev's Rule of Life. It will change over the course of the Sabbatical as I learn more of what God wants to do in my life and ministry. 

I used the material provided by Peter Scazzero to categorize this around 4 areas: Prayer, Rest, Relationships, and Work/Activity.

PRAYER REST
  • I practice Daily Office x2 day (morning, lunch) 
  • I practice Prayer of Examine each night
  • I practice 5 mins of silence before each meeting to hear the Father's will.
  • I take a "Happy Hour" each day to delight in the Father (creativity)
  • I practice a weekly, 24-hour Sabbath from Friday night to Saturday night.
  • I walk daily with Kalla.
RELATIONSHIPS WORK/ACTIVITY
  • I encourage family/friend through texting daily.
  • I delight in friendships that refresh my soul through Game Nights and socials.
  • I seek mentors to help me draw closer to the Father. I mentor others so they can draw close to the Father.
  • Bi-weekly date night with Danielle.
  • I exercise x4 a week to strengthen my body to be used for the Father's glory.
  • I perform daily/weekly house chores to create a hospitable space to welcome people into our home.

This Rule of Life is a work in progress. As I implement these intentionally in my life, I'm expect God to reveal tweaks and changes. My prayer is that by the end of my Sabbatical, the Father will have revealed new ways for me to connect my sprit to his Spirit and see more spiritual fruit all around me!

I'd encourage you to check out a Rule of Life for yourself.

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