Why Rhythms Matter for Your Soul

Life rooted in God is essential.

Wouldn't you agree?

If asked, most of us would say, "of course!!"

Abide in His presence. Live from that place....that’s where strength and fruitfulness come from.

We recommend it to others. We preach it from pulpits and stages. 

Want to do great things? Live a real christian life? It's all about real connection with God. Seeking him. Knowing him. Staying in his word. 

And yet... if we’re honest, it is a struggle to actually live it in real time.

Not because we're living a double life, lost, or unsaved.

But because our souls can tell another story.

So can our thoughts, our free time, and our easily distracted minds. Calendars are full, and the time we would love to have to do the soul-healthy stuff can be the first things to be pushed out.

Here's what's true: a life connected to God in the modern age is nearly impossible if we leave it only to the leftover margins of our time. 

It's like trying to get together with a friend: if you don't plan for it, it's just not gonna happen. 

We all agree that practices, disciplines, and quality time with our creator are essential.

But... it's also the hardest thing to do consistently. 

Work. Family. Friends. Phone. Laptop. TV. Commuting. Distraction. Sleep. Thoughts. 

The question is, how do we keep the main thing the main thing? Not get so caught up in the work and duty that we lose the most important part?

If you have difficulty consistently doing life-giving practices, this blog is for you!

Rhythms for the Soul

Your soul is like a garden. Cultivation and care produce good fruit. Neglecting the care of the soul? Weeds!

Our connection with God grows best when it is tended to with intentional rhythms: regular practices that create space for God to bring his life. Regular visits to the garden are needed. Sometimes just for a few minutes, sometimes a few hours. 

These are the best ways I've seen leaders thrive long-term: non-negotiable parts of their week, month, and year that keep their souls grounded, like the trees in Psalm 1 -planted next to the stream. 

Rhythms are so helpful to us because they do not depend on our in-the-moment creativity or motivation. They're going to be there, whether or not we feel like it. Our motivation can come and go, but when we have rhythms as a regular part of life, it helps us sustain the life we are called to and belong in.

Some classic rhythms that keep soul healthy:

• Sabbath-ing
• Date nights with your spouse
• Small groups
  
• Community time 
• Exercise/sports
  
• Meetups with a mentor / spiritual director / counselor
• Scripture
• Journaling
• Prayer/intercession
• Prayer walks 
• Silence and Solitude
• Screens-off time

Here's some tips for rhythms to help you stay connected to God and others:

1. Make Rhythms set, but flexible.
   The point of a rhythm isn’t to fill space; it ends up actually creating space. They can be consistent in time but flexible in content. But making regular, doable cadences is the best way to stick with it. 

2. Do them with others if needed.
   I can't stress this one enough! Community helps us to do the hard-but-healthy things. I used to struggle to make space for daily devotions. Then I invited a few friends. Now, I can’t sleep in, because people are waiting outside my door at 5 AM! (click here for the full story of early mornings) 
   
   We do it together, and because of that, I get time each day to slow down, hear God’s voice, read his word, and of course, drink lots of coffee. It is so helpful to me and to each person who comes.
   
   

3. Discern which Rhythms you need for this next season.

   To discern what rhythms you need, consider all aspects of your soul's health: physical/mental, relational, financial, vocational, spiritual.

   Returning to the rhythm is what matters most. If you want to work through those aspects and decide what to do, download our free Leader Care Plan resource.

Rhythms for Your Life

We can do great work, build great things. But what kind of life is supporting it all?

We all know the importance of, "do it all from a place of that deep connection to our life source."

But knowing is easy. 

Walking is hard.

We can help you embark on a new season. Our team has created a way to blend accountability, community, reflection, and connections. It's called Soul Care Rhythms, our year-round rhythms program. 

 You can sign up for our weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual rhythms that help you keep the main thing the main thing.

Explore Soul Care Rhythms