Starting Off Well for The Year

This post has been used before in The Jesus Conspiracy but I will be spending some time thinking about this next year and how I will intend to cultivate my relationship with God. I hope you find this helpful and I'm sorry if it is not fresh. You also may want to spend sometime praying for those in our church family that are grieving.

We all have certain rules or mottos that shape our direction like “Never give up,” “Never say never,” or “Just do it.” Developing a “rule for life” is a way of intentionally guiding the rhythm and shape of our days in order to direct us toward an end goal. In Acts 2:42 the early Christians “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.” This rule was an effort to join with God in their transformation process of becoming like Jesus. Ultimately, a rule will help you love God more and be more open to His teachings. If it becomes a way of earning points with God, it should be thrown out.


Deuteronomy 30:11-20
Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, "Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, "Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.
15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.

19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life

Reflection: (Spend some time journaling through at least one of these questions.)
• What unspoken rules currently govern or shape your life? How do you currently determine what you will and won’t do?

Practice:
Take some time today and this weekend to write a “rule/rhythm for life” or a covenant with God. This is a living, changing document, but begin by creating a skeleton. Here are some questions to help you:
- When do you feel closest to God? What are the particular practices that open you to God?
- What do you currently do to realize your goals and longings? (work, study, pray, socialize, diet, work out) Which of these things hinder and help your spiritual transformation?
- What practices suit your daily, monthly, and yearly rhythm? What limitations are built into your life at this moment? What desires remain steady throughout?
- Where do you want to change? Where do you feel powerless to change?
- Choose several practices (these can change as you experience more, especially next week) that arise from your desire for God to transform you. Take into consideration the limits and realities of your current life.

Sample Rule for Life
- Dedicate every day (in the morning) to be present with God through…. (prayer, worship, gratitude, study)
- Examine my day in the evening and pray this Psalm. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Then confess my sins.
- Worship the Lord alone and with others
-Pray for others
-Meet with a friend or mentor every month to discuss my journey and receive encouragement, teaching, and wisdom.
-Pray three times a day at 9 am. 12 pm, and 4 pm.

This is just a sample and it’s written very simply but it allows us to begin to shape our days so that we are intentionally opening ourselves to the grace of God. Make this a living document and begin to make it more and more specific and detailed.