Rule of Life

A Rule of Life is the trellis with which we live by and flourish (1). Like God placed boundaries upon the ocean, so we need boundaries for the land of our hearts to flourish (2). God has set eternity in the hearts of men, so we probably desire to do a lot more things than we are able to in our earthly vessels (3,4). So, c’mon, let’s make some rules to live by. Not for structure’s sake, but to hone and refine our God given talents (5). That we may come to the end of our lives and have our Father look at us with bright eyes, pat us on the back, and say the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant” (6). 

First, we will explore different prompts to help you create a Rule of Life that you are proud of.

Write out your answers to the questions & make lists on a piece of paper.  

How am I taking care of my physical body? What are my current routines?
Am I proud of (1) the things I eat? (2) how much I sleep? (3) what exercises I do?

What am I currently doing at a job and at home that constitutes working?
Are there things I need to work more or less on? (Remember to include home finances, meal prepping, cleaning.)

How am I incorporating fun into my life? What am I doing in my day to day/ week to week/ year to year that I consider fun or those close to me consider fun? 

Do I have a time in the morning or evening to reflect and be in God’s presence? Are there moments of stillness throughout my day? Do I have a day of the week I consider my Sabbath?

Next, we will look at what you’d like to change, edit, & include.

In each category, reflect on these questions:

1. How do I want to be spending my time and resources?

2. What would make myself proud? What do I think would make God proud?

3. Are there places that I have a tendency to spend time and resources in ways that are not wise?

4. How can I create boundaries and checkpoints to prevent spending my time and resources unwisely?

5. What are my plans for my life? Are they for the glory of God?

Finally, we will list out 3-5 “Rules” to live by within each category.

Below is an example.  

– Sleep: go to bed around 9pm & be up around 6am

– Eat: Monday create the meal plan for the week & grocery shop accordingly

– Exercise: 5-6 times per week (30 minutes – 2 hours) 

– Babysitting: one day per week

– Writing: 2 hours, 3 days per week

– Home: keep track of finances, clean throughout week, laundry as needed, cook daily

– Time with family weekly

– Check in with close friends at least once per month

– Church small group twice a month

– Yearly beach trip with Marshall/Winters/Strigles 

– Morning devotions (15 minutes – 1 hour)

– Late morning, early afternoon, evening, & night stillness (30 seconds – 10 minutes)

– Sunday Sabbath (extended time with God, long walks, limited use of technology, church)

I hope you find these questions and suggestions helpful in creating your own Rule of Life! 

As you become more comfortable and familiar with your own personal Rule of Life, you’ll gain greater clarity of what’s working and what’s not. You’ll begin to see and feel God highlighting certain things for you to include in and exclude from your daily rhythms. You’ll also gain a greater understanding of how to do things better than you have been. (Example: babysitting my nieces and nephews… being prepared ahead of time by packing food that will give me energy throughout the day & bringing books from the library for their education & having activities planned that engages the kids’ minds!) 

I pray that as you explore your Rule of Life that God brings you nearer to His heart & helps you develop your gifts and talents. 🙂

References:

(1) Pastor Pete Scazzero excellently teaches about creating your own Rule of Life, which is the basis for my version. Visit him at emotionallyhealthy.org.

(2) Genesis 1:9-10

(3) Ecclesiastes 3:11

(4) 2 Corinthians 4:7

(5) 1 Peter 4:10

(6) Matthew 25:21