A new shape for living
Over the Christmas period I was enchanted by two TV programmes; one on polar bears, and one on black bears. As my daughter once remarked, a bear can gorge all autumn, sleep through winter and wake up slim - what a life!
The Christmas break is a time when, tucking into another comfort meal after another day in front of the fire, I reflect on the shape of my life. Some years ago I found it helpful to draw up a Rule of Life, a framework on which to build my pattern of living. At the end of the year it’s good to look back and ask God how I’ve measured up, and then to look forward and ask Him to help me set some goals for the year ahead.
Always on my list but, alas, never ticked off are ‘Lose weight, get fit’! But a well-shaped life is about more than food and exercise, it’s about a good balance of physical, spiritual, mental and emotional; of contemplation and action; of loving God, my neighbour and myself.
So, I think about my pattern of private prayer and public worship, of times of silence, retreat and pilgrimage. I plan some learning - time for me to learn and time to share my learning with others. I consider aspects of my living - how I spend my time in work and relaxation, what I want to take up and what I may need to give up; my impact on creation; my relationships with family, friends and the communities in which I live, work and worship. I review my opportunities for serving God in serving others. A vital part of the picture to update is my pattern of planned giving.
It may sound very pious but it’s actually very practical - it’s an attempt to discern God’s shape for the year ahead and give it a good chance of happening. Of course, I’m not perfect, so it doesn’t work out quite as I planned or expected, but although I may stray from the path the fundamental direction is set in motion.
A Rule of Life is something we can all have (and most of us already do have in some way). It doesn’t need to be complicated or difficult though it should perhaps offer some challenge. It isn’t about beating ourselves up every time we fail; it is about intentionally shaping our lives in God’s mould rather than our own, finding a rhythm which helps us live in a closer relationship with our Father and Creator and helps us respond to his personal call to us.
Revd Janet Bone (January 2011)