Spiritual Rhythms My Life

Spiritual Rhythms in My Life

Some challenges come with ordering my life to the spiritual rhythms as a servant leader. The Rhythm of Work and Rest, for example, is fundamental to our well-being but more often than not, as a ministry leader among the youths, I go against it. Sabbath-keeping was a rhythm that God gave to help everyone rest and replenish the energy in the body.[footnoteRef:1] However, on the Sabbath Day, I am busy because of the many plans that I have scheduled. The church itself has become somewhat an obstacle to living up to the discipline associated with the Sabbath Day. This is because of the many youth events, which take up most of my time on this day. Being caught up in the bondage of busyness is a major challenge because I am driven to succeed as anyone else. This may not be wrong but what I do to make it happen is why ordering my life to the spiritual rhythms becomes a challenge. [1: Barton, Ruth Haley. Invitation to Retreat: The Gift and Necessity of Time Away with God. InterVarsity Press, 2018.]

Alternatively, there are significant benefits of ordering my life with spiritual rhythms as a leader in the church's ministry. The Rhythm of Engagement and Retreat has a lot of advantages in my life because when I get so much involved in and give my best energy while serving in the ministry, I also find time to re-strategize and tend my wounds. By doing this, I can become a Christian leader with the qualities of a warrior. The rhythms of silence and stillness also help me think of answers that I should give and remind me of the importance of waiting on God. Self-knowledge and examination have also enabled me to engage in the rhythm that helps me acknowledge God's transformations in my life.[footnoteRef:2] By embracing these rhythms, I can transform even the lives of those I am leading. [2: Gallagher, Luisa J. "A theology of rest: Sabbath principles for ministry." Christian Education Journal 16, no. 1 (2019): 134-149.]

Some of the rhythms that I have integrated into my life are to ensure I deliver the best and at the same time not neglect my well-being. I have embraced the one of silence and solitude by setting aside time to reflect on what God has done in my life. I take long walks in the field during such times.[footnoteRef:3] I do this before I engage in a long talk with other people to think of what to communicate, and after the long talks, I also do the same. It helps me rest and refresh, and it has been beneficial to my life as a church leader. [3: Kimber, Thomas. "Rhythm and redemption: Lessons from the monastics about life in confinement." Stimulus: The New Zealand Journal of Christian Thought and Practice 27, no. 3 (2020): 37-41.]

I have some rhythms that I would like to incorporate to get the most out of being a leader in the ministry. Finding a way of life together is a great one because, according to Moses' leadership, it pushed out the Israelites from Egypt and led them to the way of life.[footnoteRef:4] In the same way, as a Christian leader, I should be brave enough to have real spiritual leadership that will take the community to another level despite the much spiritual warfare. [4: Pearce, Angela N. "Becoming Fully Engaged." Orthopaedic Nursing 36, no. 4 (2017): 247-248.]

There are changes that I would like to make in my way of thinking, my schedule, family, and even my environment so that I can assimilate the rhythms in my life. These changes include realizing that there is a difference between having alone time like in the retreats and spending time with the family. The other way of implementing the change is by acknowledging the need to include resting time in my schedule amidst my other plans about the ministry.[footnoteRef:5] About the environment, I should know that I need to stay in a quiet environment when I have my silent thoughts to process my thoughts. All these changes can help me assimilate the rhythms. [5: Peltonen, Tuomo. Spirituality and religion in organizing: Beyond secular leadership. Springer, 2017.]

From my field of experience, I am learning the impact of these spiritual rhythms in my life from two angles. First, when I follow the discipline behind the rhythms, I can take care of my soul and make this a priority. When I do this, I am getting myself involved with things that are life-giving and renewing. This means that the other people we lead will want to emulate us, strengthening the whole community.

According to Topic four, I will apply the rhythm of work and rest to my daily life throughout the remainder of the course as commanded in the book of Exodus in the Bible. This means that I will be following the example of Jesus Christ, who observed the rhythm. It will involve setting boundaries and not substituting chores and errands in place of activities necessary for rest.