The life of every monastery, abbey, or convent is governed by an identified and pre-determined pattern of spiritual disciplines knowns as a “rule.” The most famous of these in the Western Christian tradition is the Rule of St. Benedict, which is followed by every Benedictine monastery in the world.
“But we aren’t monks or nuns, Joel. So, why are you telling me this?”
Good question.
For thousands of years, individual Christians, or other non-monastic Christian communities, have also lived according to a “rule for life.” This is a way to intentional chart a course for spiritual formation and growth in your life. A membership covenant in an evangelical, protestant church is an example of a communal “rule.”
I have created a simple version of this practice in my life each year for the past 6 years and I believe it has been transformative.
In any conversation regarding the spiritual disciplines, it is important to remember that you are creating conditions that cultivate spiritual growth. This is not a mechanical or industrial process. Exact inputs do not equal precise outputs.
Instead, you are attempting to place your life in proper sunlight, with the right soil nutrients, and with proper water because those are the typical conditions necessary for the plant to grow.
It is also a way to involve your whole person in the life of faith. An effective rule for life involves more than just thinking. It covers the gamut of physical activity, emotional reflection, and relational connection.
The Christian life is not primarily something that happens in your thought life. It includes your thinking, but spills beyond it also.
What are some practices you will implement next year? What are some hopes you have for your spiritual life? What fruits of God’s Spirit do you hope to see grow in you, and what structures could you put in place to cultivate these?
Sometimes, it is most helpful to think of daily patterns. Sometimes weekly. Sometimes monthly. Sometimes annually. The idea is to put some structures into place that are 1) realistic and thus, 2) tailor made for your situation.
In these things, you must remember that if you are in Christ, 1) our Lord is already pleased with you, Jesus is the door and you are already “in” (John 10:9–11), and 2) this is an invitation to freedom and joy, and 3) it is okay to fumble your way through it. In this case, the journey is truly the reward.
Here are some examples:
With Regard to the Spiritual Discipline of Prayer
I will practice a time of silent prayer for 30 minutes, on Saturday morning, in 2020.
I will intercede for a member of my church family on Thursday evenings, in 2020.
I will keep a monthly prayer journal, with 12 entries, in 2020, to chart the ways in which the Lord is hearing my prayers and remembering me.
With Regard to the Spiritual Discipline of Silence and Solitude
I will take a quiet walk, at a local park, 12 times in 2020.
I will make a habit of waking early, to enjoy the silence of the morning, one day a week in 2020.
With Regard to the Spiritual Discipline of Simplicity/Frugality
I will try to save ______ each month, so I can share it with someone in need every month.
I will try to not overcommit myself with regard to my time, so that I can give ______ hours to serve my church each month.
With Regard to the Spiritual Disciplines of Fasting and Feasting
I will not eat lunch one day a month to allow my physical hunger to remind me of my ultimate hunger—the true food and true drink that is Christ.
I will invite friends, neighbors, coworkers or those in need (however defined), lonely, or on the “outside,” to a eat at my house quarterly in 2020. I will make sure that providing this opporunity requires some kind of sacrifice from me.
With Regard to the Spiritual Discipline of Scripture Meditation
I will read slowly, chew on, reflect upon, and re-read one psalm per week in 2020.
I will invite a friend to join me in this practice.