SACRED RHYTHMS

Monday, January 10th, 2022

SCRIPTURE:

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the LORD. – Jeremiah 29:11-14

THOUGHTS TO PONDER:

Rhythms: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner / Sunrise & Sunset / Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday / January, February, March, April, May, June, July, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec / Winter, Spring, Summer & Fall / Year after Year after Year after Year after Year.

Sacred Rhythms: Devotional Reading Every Morning / Noon-Time Prayer / Weekly Sabbath /

Sunday Worship / Weekly Small Group / Monthly Fellowship / Prayer & Fasting / Seasonal Bible Studies / Quarterly Day Retreats / Annual Spiritual Renewal Retreat

While in seminary, I did a 2-year internship in spiritual formation with the Divinity School’s Chaplain, and spent another semester of graduate school studying the topics of Spiritual Formation and Camping and Retreat Ministry. What I discovered and learned to embrace during those years, was the idea that our spiritual formation is a “Rhythm of Life”, a “Sacred Rhythm” (as Ruth Hayley Barton defines it), of spiritually growing in our relationship with Christ.

Every semester of school, every season of the Christian year, (Lent, Advent, the season after Pentecost, summer, etc), every new job opportunity, at the beginning of each new “season”, I’ve found myself re-discovering those sacred rhythms which I tend to engage in that are spiritually transformational. Some spiritual disciplines may be new to me, while others I’ve grown to cherish and love (like sitting in my favorite chair with my journal and bible looking out the window, reading, writing, praying, listening) There have also been seasons where I’ve been really good about engaging in morning prayer and devotion, some seasons where I’ve been intentional about a week long study-leave for spiritual renewal, and seasons where I’ve been intentional about engaging in a mid-week accountability group for prayer and sharing with clergy colleagues. And of course, there have been some seasons where NONE of those spiritual practices have really taken rhythm in my life AT ALL where I’ve had to intentionally engage in other spiritual practices. I’ve learned to receive grace in that.

What I’ve discovered along my own journey of faith is that I’ve got to be intentional about seeking out those “Sacred Rhythms” or spiritual practices and disciplines that shape and transform me in my relationship with Christ.

FOR REFLECTION:

Where and in what way do you experience God in a personal intimate kind of way? How does God reveal Himself to you? And in what way might you better position yourself to hear more clearly from God and grow in your personal relationship with Him? What sacred rhythms are most transformative for you? Make an intentional commitment to engage in whatever sacred rhythm (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly), the Lord invites you to this New Year.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, as this New Year is now underway, reveal Yourself to me. Stir in my heart a longing for more of You. More Love, more power, more of You in my life. Lord Jesus, empower me to position myself before you moment by moment, day by day, week by week, month by month, and year after year. Holy Spirit show me what sacred rhythm I am to engage in on a consistent and regular basis. Draw me close to you I pray. - In Jesus’ name. - Amen.

RESOURCE:

Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation by Ruth Hayley Barton

* devotional written by Rev. Mark Muckler