Rhythms That Changed My Life

Whether we realize it or not, every one of us has certain rhythms that we habitually practice every single day. Something as simple as brushing your teeth is a rhythm in your life. To put it simply, a rhythm is a habit. If it is true that we can set up rhythms/habits for our hygiene, etc., we can also develop rhythms in our mental, spiritual, and physical life. In the past couple of years of my life, the idea of developing rhythms has become more of a prominent thought for me. I began to ask myself what kind of rhythms I had, including the bad ones. Acknowledging rhythms in our life that cause us to stumble is an important part of sanctification, and is a never ending practice until we arrive. 

With this in mind, here are a handful of rhythms I have implemented that have helped me tremendously. Let's dive in. 

Rhythm One: Daily Devotion

Psalm 119:105 proclaims,  "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." If God’s Word gives breath in our lungs, we should depend on it everyday. Personally, I have found it most beneficial to begin my day by getting in scripture. In finding this rhythm, I am able to get my mind less on myself, and more on the holiness of my Savior. 

How 

Getting into a rhythm can seem intimidating. It takes discipline, hard work, intentionality, and commitments. When starting the rhythm of getting in scripture here is my best advice:

1. Set a Time and Place

In my experience, when I don't have a specific time of day that I read the Word, I often put it off until the end of the day when I am ready to go to sleep. Inconsistency allows room for busyness of life to take over and put quality time with God on the back burner. Personally, I get in scripture right when I wake up to keep myself from getting distracted. It may not look like that for you, but whatever it is, let it be consistent.

2. Pick a Book

Not knowing where to start is a common reason people avoid reading the bible. It can be intimidating to see how much scripture there is to read, and have no idea where to start. Instead of skipping from book to book, pick one, and read a chapter a day. For example, read the book of Proverbs, a chapter a day, for 31 days. This will get rid of the excuse of not knowing how to study the bible and will hopefully help to start your daily rhythm.

3. Reflect/Journal

I am a visual learner in every way. When I am studying scripture, I try to pick out at least one verse to highlight so I can reflect and meditate on it throughout the day. It is the small things that help us to truly learn and memorize scripture.

4. Pray 

Ask God to help you in your discipline and to stay consistent in the word. There is power and prayer. God will give you the strength–you just need to ask.

Rhythm Two: Movement 

I am a firm believer that some sort of exercise or daily movement brings healing to our bodies. God has blessed us with our bodies and it is our job to steward them well. Even going on a 15-minute walk is valuable. I love weightlifting, long walks, and cardio. For me, fitness is a way to destress. It has also taught me to be disciplined and stick with the goals I have set. 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” There are many ways we can glorify God with our bodies, and taking care of it is one. Not to mention, fitness makes you feel better in more ways than one. Not only does it aid in physical health, but mental as well.

Rhythm Three: Sunshine

While clearly this one is a bit weather dependent, if the sun is out, you can bet I’ll be out there too. Experiencing God’s creation is a gift to His people. It is a beautiful reflection of his creativity and intentionality. Getting outside helps me to fix my eyes on Christ and live more in the moment. 

Some of my favorite ways to enjoy nature are by reading outside, hammocking, going on a walk/hike, or enjoying a cup of coffee on the back porch. 

Rhythm Four: Something Joyful 

We all have things that bring us joy or happiness in this life. I believe part of building a life that you love is implementing something that brings you joy into every single day. It doesn’t have to be the same thing every time (although, it could be). That thing might be one of the three rhythms above, but try to find something different. 

For me, one of mine is reading a book before bed instead of scrolling on my phone. It is a healthy habit that I enjoy doing. Some others are getting a coffee, wearing a cute outfit, and scrolling Pinterest for inspiration. It truly is the little things that go a long way in life.

These four habits have been crucial in my growth as a person and the ways God has shaped me. There are many more rhythms I want/need to implement in my life, but these are a great start to a long journey of growth and intentional learning.