Spiritual Rhythms that Help Me Grow

Spiritual growth isn’t an accident. Our intimate relationship with God began with a personal decision, and it continues when we choose to become more like Jesus in our hearts, minds, perspectives, values, and moral boundaries.

But it isn’t a straightjacket kind of growth. It isn’t just about gathering more Bible knowledge.  We can have academic credentials without a heart that burns for the life God directs and transforms.

I come to a discussion like this as a pilgrim, not a professor. I come with a hunger to know more of what God says forms my life, beginning with my heart and life appetites.  I am no star pupil here.  Just another learner.   However, here are the rhythms that keep me grounded in God’s ways without feeling overwhelmed.

Morning Rhythms

Even when my day was packed with caring for our daughter’s special needs and fulfilling ministry roles, I did my best to protect a morning rhythm.  Bible reading and study were always my first focus. I’ve used the following Bible study methods for personal studies.:

• Key Questions

Who am I in this story?  What does this passage teach me about God’s unfailing love?

• Journalist Questions

What is the Who, Where, When, and Why of this passage?

• SPECK Questions.

What are the

Sins to avoid? 

Promises to claim?

Examples to follow?

Commandments to keep?

Knowledge about God to savor?

Ten Minute Reading

I learned this rhythm only a year ago.  Find a spiritual growth book you have wanted to read.  Set a timer for 10 minutes.  You can remember what you read in 10 minutes.  While it may take a couple of months to get through a book, you'll end up with more takeaways you can incorporate into your life.  I’ve read four books this way this year, and I wouldn’t have finished any of them without my 10-minute morning reading.

Morning Pages

This practice comes from Julia Cameron's book The Artist’s Way, a writing and teaching guide for creatives. I have tweaked it to fit my needs.  She recommends handwriting at three pages a day in a journal notebook. I usually write no more than 1-2 pages.  I keep lists of questions that guide me when nothing comes to mind.  Mostly, it is a space for mind-clearing and clarification.  What am I thinking and feeling, and why?  What is God saying to me about what I am thinking and feeling?  It has led to many mornings of self-discovery, when I could no longer blame someone else for feelings and perspectives I needed to own and address.

Friday-Saturday Rhythms

These days are not as structured as my Monday through Thursday working days are.  I reserve Friday and Saturday for errands, groceries, cooking for the week, and home-keeping.  On these days I use podcasts. Renovare's Life with God is one of my favorites. Nathan Foster (son of Richard Foster who wrote Celebration of Discipline) leads it. Jennifer Rothschild, Josh Summers and Bible Memory. and Tim Keller’s Sermons are a few other favorites.

Sunday Rhythm

I reserve Sundays for watching a Bible Study presentation while I get ready for church.  FaithGateway OBS lets you register for a selected free video study that you can access for a limited time. I also use extra time for uninterrupted reading from a spiritual formation book before we leave for church.

Prayer

For me, prayer weaves its way through every rhythm.  When some truth convicts or inspires me, I simply stop and talk to God about it.  When friends or family are going through rough times, I talk to God about it. Often, I will sit and pray through a verse of scripture that encourages me or warns me, asking God to help me put it into practice.

The important takeaway is to have rhythms in place so that missing one time doesn’t set you back.  The rhythm you have committed to will help you return to it the next day.

Spiritual growth rarely comes by accident. We must develop the rhythms that draw us to God. Guilt is a poor motivator. Our rhythms should be rich invitations that we sorely miss when life interrupts them. They must fit our personalities, our needs, and answer the biggest question we need to address for the day:  What does God want to teach me today?

I’d love to hear about your rhythms. We are all learners here. Besides, you may have the rhythm that would help someone else get unstuck.  So write me, debmgoodwin@gmail.com, and let’s share growth rhythms that really work and put an end to unnecessary guilt and struggle about something as important and healing as becoming more like Jesus.

Sharing a growth journey with you!

Debbie