A Trellis to Grow On
Wild roses can be beautiful. However, without stakes or a more formal trellis to get them off the ground and help display their beauty, you may never see them. The idea of the trellis is often used to talk about an ancient Christian spiritual discipline called the "Rule of Life". The term rule is often confusing because we think of it in terms of a law; something that you can't break or you will be in trouble. But the term is used more akin to a ruler, an edge by which you draw a straight line or an instrument used to measure. So a rule of life for the Christian is a trellis that helps us abide in Christ and display more beautifully the fruit which his love is producing in us. Practically, it is an intentional, conscious plan to keep God at the center of everything we do.*
As we say goodbye to 2022 and turn the corner into 2023, it is a good time to take spiritual inventory and work on our trellis for the upcoming year. Here are 5 steps that can provide a springboard for you in forming that intentional, conscious plan:
- Write down everything you currently do (or hope to do) that nurtures your spirit and fills you with delight (e.g. people, places, activities). Think more broadly beyond such activities as prayer, going to church, worship, and Bible reading. Your list may include gardening, walking the dog, being in nature, talking with close friends, cooking, painting, hobbies, or any number of other possibilities.
- Write down the activities you need to avoid, limit, or eliminate that pull you away from remaining anchored in Christ. This refers to avoiding certain things that impact your spirit negatively such as overly romantic or violent movies, excessive social media involvement, commitments that take you beyond your limits, gossip sessions, etc ...
- What are the challenging “have to’s” in the next 3-6 months of your life that will impact your rhythms? (e.g. caring for aging parents, a special needs child, a demanding season at work, moving, health issues ...)
- Write out a Rule of Life (i.e. specific goals) incorporating major areas such as prayer, rest, work, relationships, etc .... Ask God what He is inviting you to focus on as you consider your next 3-6 months?
- Take a step back and consider the following questions:
• What do you think will be your biggest challenge?
• What is the one thing you sense the Holy Spirit directing you to start doing now?
• What might be one thing you want to stop doing?
• Is there someone you can invite to encourage you in making these changes?
I do hope that some of you will be challenged to work on a rule. If you are having trouble getting started, feel free to ask a friend to journey with you. If you are not sure what a finished product might look like, I would be delighted to offer any advice or encouragement I can as well!
A final word. Let this be a joyful invitation from your Heavenly Father to rest in and celebrate the work He is already doing in your life. Spiritual disciplines (such as a Rule of Life) are means of grace by which God can nourish us. Ultimately a "Rule" should help you to experience the love of God more! If it becomes a legalistic way of earning points with God or impressing others, it should be scrapped. The compassionate heart of God is truly unmatched. Like Jonah, we may run far and break every "Rule" but God will still be intent on inviting us deeper.
* Rule of Life definition along with the 5 developmental steps adapted from the work of Peter Scazzero.
Here are some additional notes on the Rule of Life from our recent Adult Institute class, Communion with God.
Photo by Brittney Strange on Unsplash