Prevailing Purpose

In the last few years I have found a rhythm for reading scripture that allowed me to move through the Bible in one year. But after the adoption and birth of our two sons in July and August, I found myself quickly falling behind. Understandably, I couldn’t keep up with the pace that I had previously set before we had our boys.

So as the new year approached I decided that I needed to find new rhythms for my spiritual disciplines. I chose four areas to alter and in the early days of this year these are rhythms that have worked for me.

Scripture Reading and Memorization

Rather than read through scripture in a year, I am focusing on one book at a time. To begin I have chosen Romans. There is no particular reason for this other than that I have found that I spend a lot of time in the Old Testament and would like to read through something in the New Testament. Rather than reading in the Bible I use regularly with my previous notes, I am using an ESV scripture journal to keep any new notes. Additionally, after reading the passage on my own, I am also listening to JT English’s sermon series through Romans from a few years ago.

I am also choosing to memorize scripture that corresponds to the chapter that I am studying. I don’t use an app or have any particular tricks for memorization, but I simply keep a hand-written copy of the scripture in three places that I frequent: above my kitchen sink, my work desk, and my bathroom mirror. As I go about my daily routines I pause to say that scripture out loud. I also practice a pre-school appropriate version with my oldest son so we can work on it together.

Prayer

While prayer is a large part of my work as a biblical counselor and in my local church, I found that much of my prayer was focused around either myself or those I am ministering to. I wanted an additional time set aside to pray specifically for my family.

I found a natural place for this in my evening routine with my youngest son. As part his bedtime routine when I am rocking him to sleep, I have been taking a few minutes to pray out loud for him, our oldest son, and my husband.

Sabbath

In addition to my position as a counselor, I am also on staff at my local church. While I love to gather with my church family for mutual edification, it can be difficult to use Sundays as a day of rest. As often as possible, I use Saturdays as a Sabbath.

This is a rhythm I have been fighting to have for the last year. Far from a finely honed system, it is something that I am constantly adjusting and altering. With two young children, it is one that requires planning and intentionality. I hope to work on and share more on this rhythm in the near future.

Additional Reading

My work as a biblical counselor allows me to do quite a bit of reading (a huge benefit!). There is always more to learn and material to review as I prepare to meet with individuals with very different stories and situations. But if I am not careful, the reading that is done during this time can be the only reading that I do.

My aim is to read through one chapter a week from a book that reflects what I am working through or learning in my personal life. As I work through these new rhythms, a book that I have been rereading is Habits of Grace by David Mathis. It has been a helpful reminder that each of the spiritual disciplines are available to us only by God’s grace and it takes a closer look at each discipline’s importance.

As I work through these rhythms, a book that I have been rereading is Habits of Grace by David Mathis. It has been a helpful reminder that each of the spiritual disciplines are available to us only because of God’s grace.

Why share this?

My hope for sharing these new rhythms with you is that you would find encouragement as you make your own adjustments. Our lives, routines, and needs are always changing, and we have to adjust our spiritual disciplines with them. However, the God we serve and seek is unlimited, not bound by time, and his kindness and love knows no end. May you be refreshed and strengthened in your pursuit of him.

If you are walking through a difficult season and can benefit from biblical counseling, schedule a session with myself or another qualified counselor today.

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