Yesterday a definition for a “rule of life” was suggested. And today as promised, I wanted to suggest a way to approach supporting a rule of life through behaviors and practices. A rule really needs to be more than aspiration. IT MUST START THERE or it can dissolve into a dogmatic pharisaical practice that is more about ego than becoming more genuinely spiritual. At the same time a rule which stays at the aspiration with no plan - well then we are just “fooling ourselves.” Both aspiration and practices must be joined together to create a rule of life that is able to move us ahead in maturity.

Like David in the story of his battle with the Philistine Giant - we need to have some tools in our pouch that we are familiar with and that will take us where we need to go. We need a figurative pouch of “five smooth stones” - a set of exercises; practices; habits that we routinely visit if we desire to move toward realizing our rule of life.

There is no prescribed or right set of routines or practices that fit all folks. For different individuals and different communities these routines are different and they can change (slightly or in some cases drastically) over the seasons and years that they pursue their rule. I would suggest that once a person begins to define their rule and settles on their “five smooth stones” that they don’t divert from it for a year or so. This will allow both time and habit and God to have His way. It is only after times passes that we have the perspective to evaluate and consider what else might be needed or what should be eliminated.

I offer my “five smooth stones” (outside of Corporate Worship and service in my local church) as an example of ONE approach.

Daily - Morning and Evening Prayer; & The Jesus Prayer
Weekly - Lectio Divina
Monthly - 1 day of fasting and solitude
Yearly - Silent Retreat

Again this is my personal approach. It is definitely not for everyone. It may be worth asking though, “who am I becoming?” or “What is my desire?” It may be worth following that desire and trying to determine what behaviors and practices have Christians through the ages employed to move toward such a desire.

What five smooth stones would you put in your pouch to attain to your personal aspirations?