I finished the book today! The last chapter was “Go the Next Step to Develop a ‘Rule of Life’ – Loving Christ Above All Else.” Here is Scazzero’s definition of a rule of life: “A Rule of Life, very simply, is an intentional, conscious plan to keep God at the center of everything we do. It provides guidelines to help us continually remember God as the Source of our lives. It includes our unique combination of spiritual practices that provide structure and direction for us to intentionally pay attention and remember God in everything we do. The starting point and foundation of any Rule is a desire to be with God and to love Him” (pg. 196). He then gives some elements that could be included in a Rule of Life. They are: (1) Scripture (2) Silence and Solitude (3) Daily Office (4) Study (5) Sabbath (6) Simplicity (7) Play and recreation (8) Service and mission (9) Care for the physical body (10) Emotional health (11) Family and (12) Community (companions for the journey).
Scazzero challenges us to be intentional about developing our Rule of Life because subconsciously we all have one whether we realize it or not. We each have our values and ways of doing things. In order to nurture a growing spirituality with depth will require a thoughtful, conscious, intentional plan for our spiritual lives. For me, developing this intentional Rule of Life is going to take some time. I already have some ideas but I want to take the time to prayerfully consider this. I will post it when I am finished it.
This book has been such an encouragement and challenge to me. It has affirmed so many things that God has been working on in my life over the last year. I am excited to continue on in this journey to having an emotionally healthy spirituality! For anyone who is interested, Peter Scazzero is hosting a pastor’s conference called “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality in You, Your Marriage, and Your Church” on April 11th and 12th at his church in New York. I am prayerfully considering going to it. This will be a huge financial investment for me but I believe it will be WELL worth it.
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