In the Disney cartoon Phineas and Ferb, the boys, in their effort to reunite a band, come across a retired drummer who claims he’s lost his rhythm. He says to the boys, “I ain’t got rhythm,” even as his actions demonstrate otherwise.
Musicians know the importance of rhythm when performing, but what about you? What thought do you give to setting and keeping a healthy rhythm in your life and work? I find that in ministry especially, if I don’t take time to set the rhythm, circumstances do so for me. Only then, the rhythm is no more healthy than an irregular heartbeat.
Rhythm is simply a strong, repeated pattern. Scripture demonstrates God’s ordained pattern when, after six days of creation, He rested on the seventh, blessing the day, consecrating it as holy (Gen. 2:1-3). And while the New Testament church shifted their attention to the Lord’s Day, the rhythm of work, worship, and rest remained.
How do we set and keep a healthy rhythm? I think you just do it. Establish the priorities and lock in the time. Because work and corporate worship are the easiest to schedule, mainly because the timing is set by others, I have to lock in time for rest and private worship. It’s just too easy for circumstances to crowd these out of the schedule if I don’t guard the time. Like a runner who paces himself, I try and organize my day, week, and even the month so that I can give my best to my family and the work God’s called me to, while guarding time to rest and recenter my life on Him. The point is, without dedicated attention, I can easily get off rhythm. You can, too.
So how’s your rhythm?
One more thing. When I was a cadet in the Houston Police Academy back in the ‘80’s, we had to complete a five mile run under a given time. Having never been a serious runner, I struggled with my pacing, burning all my energy in the first couple of miles, dragging myself to the end. Then a fellow cadet, himself a competitive distance runner, offered to run with me, setting the pace. He knew just the rhythm I needed to complete the run in the qualified time. With his help, I passed my PT qualification and continued my training.
My point: If you need help setting your rhythm, reach out. I’ve learned much about healthy life and ministry balance from fellow pastors. Don’t burn out when God has provided solid, grounded, wise partners who would gladly run beside you as you reach your stride.
Blessings!
Bro. Jim
Musicians know the importance of rhythm when performing, but what about you? What thought do you give to setting and keeping a healthy rhythm in your life and work? I find that in ministry especially, if I don’t take time to set the rhythm, circumstances do so for me. Only then, the rhythm is no more healthy than an irregular heartbeat.
Rhythm is simply a strong, repeated pattern. Scripture demonstrates God’s ordained pattern when, after six days of creation, He rested on the seventh, blessing the day, consecrating it as holy (Gen. 2:1-3). And while the New Testament church shifted their attention to the Lord’s Day, the rhythm of work, worship, and rest remained.
How do we set and keep a healthy rhythm? I think you just do it. Establish the priorities and lock in the time. Because work and corporate worship are the easiest to schedule, mainly because the timing is set by others, I have to lock in time for rest and private worship. It’s just too easy for circumstances to crowd these out of the schedule if I don’t guard the time. Like a runner who paces himself, I try and organize my day, week, and even the month so that I can give my best to my family and the work God’s called me to, while guarding time to rest and recenter my life on Him. The point is, without dedicated attention, I can easily get off rhythm. You can, too.
So how’s your rhythm?
One more thing. When I was a cadet in the Houston Police Academy back in the ‘80’s, we had to complete a five mile run under a given time. Having never been a serious runner, I struggled with my pacing, burning all my energy in the first couple of miles, dragging myself to the end. Then a fellow cadet, himself a competitive distance runner, offered to run with me, setting the pace. He knew just the rhythm I needed to complete the run in the qualified time. With his help, I passed my PT qualification and continued my training.
My point: If you need help setting your rhythm, reach out. I’ve learned much about healthy life and ministry balance from fellow pastors. Don’t burn out when God has provided solid, grounded, wise partners who would gladly run beside you as you reach your stride.
Blessings!
Bro. Jim