This year as we each do the work of crafting a personal rhythm of life, we will continue to explore our deepest desires in our relationship with God, our relationship with self, our relationship with others, and our relationship with the world. Last night Jonathan Martin helped us dive into love at the center of God’s character. I can’t stop thinking about his statement, “God is not loving; God is love.”

As you listened to Jonathan, what was stirring in you? Where did you sense the Holy Spirit whispering? How do you long for this to be made real in your life? As you reflect on the life you long for in your relationship with God, how do you long for God’s love to become a practical reality?

Our practice for the evening was a form of mediation. Jonathan led us to focus on our image of God in our holy creator’s presence, and he guided us into Matthew 14:27 as Jesus says to the apostles, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” Our kingdom practice for the week is to continue this practice of meditation either on our image of God or on Matthew 14:27. Let’s sit with it this week. Let’s mull it over and ponder it in the presence of God.

Remember that a rhythm of life is both a description of the life we long to live and the way we will live it; specifically, what disciplines will we practice to open us to the transforming presence of the Holy Spirit to help us become the people we were created to be and live the lives we long for at the deepest level. We will continue to learn and practice new disciplines this year. As we do, let’s spend time in each of them looking for the disciplines the Spirit may be inviting us into this season.

Additional Resources:
[amazon text=Good and Beautiful God&asin=0830835318] by James Bryan Smith is a wonderful resource for exploring who God’s character
[amazon text=Sacred Rhythms&asin=0830833331] by Ruth Barton casts a beautiful vision for a rhythm of life.
[amazon text=Crafting a Rule of Life&asin=0830835644][amazon text=Spiritual Disciplines Handbook&asin=0830846050] by Stephen Macchia is a practical resource for building a rhythm of life.
Being Disciples is a short read (and FREE!) about the role of the spiritual disciplines on this journey.
[amazon text=Spiritual Disciplines Handbook&asin=0830846050] by Adele Calhoun is the best and most comprehensive resource for individual disciplines around.