December 8-14, 2024
Each of us has a way that we live our life. Often we aren’t intentional about crafting that way of living, we just sort of fall into a routine of doing things. With the year drawing to an end, I challenge you to be intentional about your life and consider crafting a Rule of Life. Simply put, be intentional about about your spiritual, relational, and vocational rhythms of life. I was invited to begin crafting a Rule of Life at the 2024 Creatives Retreat and now I extend that invitation to you. It is not a new practice, but is an ancient practice traced back to St. Benedict. It is holistic and guides our priorities. Let’s look at the practices and people of our life and ask God to help us be purposeful in our walk with Him. What do you need to add? What do you need to eliminate? Keep in mind that your Rule of Life will change with different seasons of your life so its not a one and done. It is also advisable to not be hurried in crafting your Rule of Life. For further interest there are three resources that I recommend: Practicingtheway.org, Ruleoflife.com, and Emotionallyhealthy.org. Let’s get started.
This week's Bible reading: Deuteronomy 4:9
Focus Theme: Being With Jesus
Prayer Prompts
Day 1: Abiding with God is essential in the life of every believer. Evaluate your current practice for spending time with God: daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly.
Day 2: Examen. Examen is a daily prayer that involves reviewing the day, giving thanks, and asking for God's help. Try it and ask God if He is leading you to include this practice among your life’s rhythms.
Day 3: Fasting. Abstaining from food for a period of time to spend that additional time with God. How is God inviting you to include fasting into your life and at what frequency?
Day 4: Sabbath. Sabbath includes rest from work, delighting in activities you enjoy, corporate worship, and community fellowship. How are you keeping the Sabbath? What do you need to add or take away?
Day 5: Retreat. Get away alone or in community. Enjoy solitude or creativity. What is your experience with retreating? Research the practice if it is new to you. Ask God how you might integrate retreating into your life’s rhythms.
Prayer Prompts and Bible Readings are provided by Michele Bowden and Lisa Brass, Coaches and Digital Missioners with Visual Faith™ Ministry. Find them on our Creative Devotion page, on Instagram @victoryinart and @aworthylif, and on the web at victoryinart.com.