As we are creatures of rhythm, living in a rhythmic world, most people develop personal life-rhythms which give shape and harmony to their days. Many of these flow naturally, without much thought or effort, but other rhythms are externally imposed to help us ‘do better’.  As we all know, the media is full of self-help gurus with the latest ideas for routines and disciplines to add to our diaries in order to get the most out of living.

The issue with many of these laudable practices is shoe-horning them into over-full timetables—which should we leave out—and the discipline to keep going, after the first enthusiasm wanes.

The rhythms of life detailed below are different; they are not something we do in order to get. They are not obligations; they do not gain us ‘brownie points’ or earn us divine favour and blessing. These life-rhythms come from the outflow of grace in our lives.

RIVERS OF GOD

​Grace is all about what God does in and for us, rather than what we do for Him. We are to live from the inside-out, from the Spirit’s life-flow. So the ‘rhythms of life’ we engage with, come from His initiation, and His empowering, rather than from being externally imposed. They are offered not demanded; possibilities not requirements, kingdom gateways not straitjackets.
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The Holy Spirit who dwells in us, wants to release a flow of life—rivers of God—from within [John 7:28]. He wants to open up windows of possibility—opportunities for greater revelation, encounters and transformation, rather than gives us sticks to beat ourselves (and others) with.

LIVING LIKE JESUS

​Jesus was a man at rest, and was never governed by the ‘shoulds’ and ‘oughts’ of common expectation. He truly lived a life which flowed from inside-out. Jesus frequently withdrew to spend time alone with His Father, paying no attention to the expectations of the disciples; yet equally delighted in being around people; the Lord regularly observed Sabbaths and festivals, but wasn’t at all restricted by religious laws and requirements. He enjoyed intimate and informal meals with friends; while His parables were peppered with stories about ‘feasts’. He was acutely aware of the natural world, and was just as at home on a hillside, or in a humble fisherman’s cottage, as in the temple courts.
 
Jesus lived a life that was non-religious, unpretentious, balanced, simple and free; and He invites us to share that lifestyle.

​These pages explore some of the life-rhythms which can open Kingdom-gateways to a greater experience of a rest-filled life.

SPIRIT-LED ENCOUNTERS: THE RHYTHM OF DEVOTION

SPIRIT-LED REFRESHMENT: THE RHYTHM OF SABBATH

SPIRIT-LED CELEBRATION: THE RHYTHM OF FESTIVAL

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SPIRIT-LED SLOW-TIME: THE RHYTHM OF SEASONAL LIVING

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SPIRIT-LED RECREATION: THE RHYTHM OF PLAY

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SPIRIT-LED BREATHING SPACES: THE RHYTHM OF MEALTIMES

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SPIRIT-LED GATHERINGS: THE RHYTHM OF COMMUNITY

QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK…
How do I develop healthy spiritual rhythms?
How do I live like Jesus?
HAVE YOU GOT A QUESTION​?

MY QUESTION

SPIRIT-LED WITHDRAWAL: THE RHYTHM OF SOLITUDE

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…
He has made everything beautiful in its time
​[Ecclesiastes 3:1,11]

*RHYTHMS OF GRACE

GET IN THE FLOW of His Spirit

• Write a list of all the things you are engaged in over the course of a week.
• Highlight the items which make you feel energised and alive.
• Spend time with the Lord…
• Ask Him to show you anything which can be ‘pruned’ from your list.
• Then as you read on, ask Him to cause life-giving rhythms to well up from the inside.

*For more information on how the term ‘rhythms of grace’ is used on this website, please see the INTRODUCTION TO RHYTHMS OF GRACE: A JOURNEY INTO REST AND PEACE.

RHYTHMS OF GRACE: A JOURNEY INTO REST

[Photo credits:  Jeremy Bishop (tide);  Joshua Woroniecki (stream);  Jeremy Perkins (hand);  Aaron Burden (bench); Raven Images (fireworks);  Nik Shuliahin (handstand); 
​Kate Hliznitsova (picnic); Frank McKenna (sunset beach); Priscilla du Preez (people) @ Unsplash, with thanks]