Deep discipleship starts with creating small, simple and repeatable habits that help us connect to God.
Rhythm is the heart of discipleship. Learn to connect to God everyday by creating spiritual practices that build intimacy with God, yourself and those around you. This is the essence of rhythm: developing habits that point us to what we love.
Who is God?
This is the question. The most important question in all of humanity. Is there something greater than us? Philosophers, poets, priests, prophets and ultimately, people have been asking this question for millennia.
Who, What, Where is God? What does He, She, It or They want? Is this life all there is? There are several answers to that fundamental question.
In Jesus of Nazareth, we have the answer.
The Son [Jesus] is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.
hebrews 1:1-3
Jesus was once asked, ‘What’s the most important thing for a human to do?’ His answer was ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.’ (Matt 22:34-36).
Why?
Because in Jesus’ view, God is the ultimate being. He is the creator, sustainer and destiny of all mankind.
Let’s go back to Jesus’ quote: Love the Lord Your God with heart, soul, and mind. If we believe Jesus’ words, then God is ours. He is not an impersonal force, but our creator. God is also not one, but three in one: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In the Father, we have our Supreme Lord. To us, the Son of God was the God-Man Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit is God within us.
Three persons, one God. Personal, yet powerful.
You were made for God
The essence of being human is to create, produce, build and cultivate. Educational psychologist Benjamin Bloom understood this well. He devised ‘Bloom’s taxonomy’ which is still used by teachers worldwide today.
Bloom’s taxonomy argues that creation is our highest form of being. Taking things and constructing something original is a human’s greatest form of learning. Isn’t this why we all love Lego?
We were made by God for God. In him are greater pleasures than anything we could have here on earth, for in God ‘we live, and move and have our being’ .
ACTS 17:28
As God creates order out of chaos, we as God’s agents do the same. Paintings from paint. Buildings from brick. Meals from ingredients. Clothes from fabric. We were designed to bring flourishing, peace, beauty and meaning to the world around us.
We were created as God’s people, for God’s presence and in God’s place. This is what the ancient Jews called ‘shalom’. Where everything is as it should be. That’s why meeting with God should feel like coming home.
How do I connect to God? Start with Two Minutes
We wake up, get ready, go to work, come home, get ready for bed and sleep. Somewhere in there is food and leisure. The gym, the kids, the work, the x, the y, the z. Repeat. Most of our lives are on a predictable loop of habits – and here is where we need to make some space for the King. The multi-million bestseller ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear says a habit that you actually stick to needs to be: obvious, attractive, easy and rewarding.
Obvious Cues: Pick A Time & Place
What’s the trigger for you to meet God? Monks have used bells for centuries. Muslims have used the call to prayer.
Same time, same place, for millennia.
What’s your holy time and place? First thing when you wake up? Last thing at night in bed? Middle of the Day at work?
My trigger habit is simple; during my walk from the ward to the canteen, I look out the window and take a few deep breaths. For those two minutes, I stop thinking about everything…except God. Deep breath in…deep breath out. For those few beautiful moments, I’m finally aware that I’m breathing in the presence of God.
Attractive Craving: What do I need right now?
Ask yourself that question: What do you need right now? Inner peace; strength; to be seen; some money; a hug; to be grateful; a miracle?
A Christian is someone that has come to Jesus because they want something. We meet with God because there’s something that our soul craves. Understanding your soul’s craving is probably the hardest part of this journey, but this is where your feelings come into play.
When you have a time and place, think about what you need from God in that sacred space.
Easy Response: Taking Two Minutes
What stirs your affection for God? Here’s a basic list to get you started: Prayer, Bible, Silence, Meditation, Movement, Study, Singing, Journalling, Breathing, Eating.
Whatever you do that connects you to the Almighty, it must only take two minutes. Anymore and you’ll be less likely to do it again. Remember, we are trying to do this for a lifetime, not a seasonal burst.
Satisfying Reward: Knowing God Deeper
Theologian John Piper says ‘the greatest gift of the gospel is God himself’. By that he means that whether we come to God for peace, love, satisfaction, salvation, security, healing, venting or whatever, these features are only a taste of something better – God.
We may come to God initially because there are benefits, but those benefits stem from the ultimate benefit – knowing and abiding in God.
What is the Goal?
The aim is to create rhythms in your life that point you to God. When we stop and realize that God is in all things, whether good or tragic, that is when we learn to abide. Steak is not just steak; it’s savouring the genius of God. My work isn’t just my work because God has given me the privilege of picking up a broom, typing on a keyboard or prescribing medication because he wants me to cultivate just like he does.
This is the essence of rhythm: developing habits that point us to what we love. Small, simple and repeatable habits that push us through the ceiling to connect to God, our creator.
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