Word of the Week - Life Rhythms (Habits)
"Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly”. Matthew 11: 29-30 (msg)
In last weeks “Word of the Week” I shared about the amazing power of “Order” in our lives especially in our relationship with the Lord, see below for reference. So how do we have Order in our day to day lives? Well, it is simple but not easy. We must be intentional in building daily disciplines/structures into our day to day lives that become rhythms or habits. Over time these intentional “disciplines” become heart “desires” unforced rhythms of grace. This is how God does His amazing and transformative work in our lives, families, and businesses. The power of our faith comes alive through our daily actions, which leads to the abundant life Jesus talks about “Immeasurably More than you can ask or imagine”. Ephesians 3:20
Life Rhythms (habits) are acquired modes of behavior that become almost involuntary. Typically these patterns are acquired by frequent repetition or by being around others who engage in similar repetitive activities. Most of our life rhythms and routines are either good and healthy or negative and unhealthy. Some rhythms can be more neutral but either way, our routines and rhythms have a meaningful impact on our life and the impact or lack of impact we have on the world around us, so they are significantly important and thus should be intentional.
The power of life Rhythms – I recently listened to a podcast by Craig Groeschel titled “High Impact Habits for Successful Leaders” Habits and leadership. I am a big believer in the power of our life habits and rhythms and how they impact every area of our lives. Since our lives are really the sum total of what we do, what we do each day really matters, especially over time. If we understand this truth, then we can begin to work toward developing good and godly habits and purging ourselves of habits that are keeping us from being all that we are called to be in Christ. This is the process of sanctification in Christ over the course of our lives. Rhythms can also be equated to disciplines. When we surrender our lives to Christ and are born of the spirit of God, He gives us a new perspective, which should lead to new life rhythms and disciplines. “Do not continue to conform to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve God’s will, His good, perfect and pleasing will”. Romans 12:2. Our daily Rhythms and disciplines become transformative to our lives, we become a new person in Christ through these daily disciplines. I love this quote by my friend John Maxwell, “I can predict the long-term outcome of your success if you show me your daily habits.”
Life transformation through daily rhythms – The real question is not what do, but who I want to become. Over time our daily rythyms along with the people we spend time with, shape us into who we are. For example, in my own personal walk of faith, I started a new journey a little over 24 years ago when I surrendered my life to Christ. I began reading God’s word every morning, and making it a top priority in my life (first fruit). This became a daily rhythm for me and now I have read the bible over 23 times from cover to cover. In doing so, I have come to really know God through His word and even more importantly, I have come to know my true identity in Christ (who He says I am as His son). This daily rhythm has really shaped me into a new creation in Christ. The essence of who I am has been transformed over the years as I have grown in my relationship with Jesus. There are many other Habits/disciplines related to my walk of faith and relationship with God that played a part in my transformation and sanctification, which are ongoing. What we do and who we spend our time with really impacts who we become. Prior to this meaningful experience, I desired to know God and more about my faith and beliefs, but my daily Habits and actions were not aligned with this desire. The most amazing part of this truth is that we find freedom and life in the daily rhythms and disciplines of walking with Jesus. It is not a burden, it brings energy and vision to our life, it is life giving. “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yolk is easy and my burden is light”. Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
Daily Rhythms motivated in Love in Relationships are the winning combination – Even though our rhythms and routines are very important in who we become and how effective we are in life, they cannot produce fruit without love and relationship. We are not robots, we are triune beings that have a spirit, heart/soul and body and we were made for relationship. Relationships can be greatly complimented by good habits because what we do really impacts our relationships. For example, I can say and do all the right things with my wife by taking her on dates, routinely giving her flowers and telling her the right things, but if she doesn’t know and feel my connection to her through love and relationship, we are destined for failure. That being said, I can love my wife and have all the best intentions but if I don’t set aside frequent quality time to spend with her and make that a priority, then our relationship will suffer and not be healthy and flourish. Love is action and taking action shows love but action alone is not love. This reminds me of the somewhat controversial topic if faith and works outlined in James 2:14-16 “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is dead”
As we move deeper into 2025, I would encourage you to evaluate our daily/weekly/monthly/Annual rhythms and disciplines to determine which of them you may want to start and stop. Small habits compounded over time can be game changers in life.
Let’s live with intentionality every day!!!!!