A few notes on creating a Rule of Life

Read between part 1 & 2 | Return to Developing a Rule of Life

Start small
As with creating any new set of goals, it’s tempting to over-reach and attempt to live like a monk from day one. That is a strategy bound to fail! Start where you are, not where you feel you should be. Unrealistic goals just leave us discouraged and disillusioned. Doable, enjoyable goals move us forward in our spiritual formation. We’ve included a “baseline practice” for each of the seven categories, but you may need to work toward that as an eventual goal. If that means “daily prayer” is ten minutes to read one psalm and offer one prayer, great. Just start where you’re at and move forward at a deliberate, but relaxed pace.

Be specific
Look for practices that are practical, concrete, and embodied, not vague and ideological. I.e., “Sabbath on Sundays” not “be more relaxed.”

Consider your personality
If you’re introverted, carve out plenty of time to be alone in the quiet. If you’re more extroverted, make sure you get a lot of time with friends. But also do your best to architect a balance that works for you.

Consider your season of life and stage of discipleship
If you’re new to following Jesus and just beginning to learn about practices like silence and solitude or sabbath, don’t copy someone who is twenty years down the road. Just take the next step in your journey.

Keep a healthy balance of upstream and downstream practices
By upstream, we mean practices that may feel hard for you, but really move your soul toward growth. And by downstream, we mean those practices that you find fun, life-giving, easy and joyful. As a general rule, we need just a few upstream practices, and lots of downstream practices.

Keep a healthy balance of structure and spontaneity
Don’t let your rule become rigid, boring, or a legalistic, dull obligation. And never let it override the Spirit’s frequently unscheduled interruptions in our days. A good rule should feel like freedom, not slavery.

Remember that a good rule is a working document
Like us, it’s dynamic, not static. Life is a bit of a moving target, so we have to regularly review our rule and make sure it’s still bringing us life with God and others. If you are sacrificing a healthy relationship (with God or others) in order to accomplish your “rule,” this version of your rule has ceased to aid you in the goal of drawing closer to God and becoming a person of love.

Read between part 1 & 2 | Return to Developing a Rule of Life