An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say...
    - 2 Timothy 2.5, 6

Now after learning the canon of the Old and New Testaments, Brendan wished to write out and learn the rules of the saints of Erin. Bishop Erc gave him leave to go and learn this rule, for he knew that it was of God that this counsel had come to him.
  -Vita Brendani, Irish, 16th century from and earlier ms.

Everybody lives by some set of rules, disciplines, or routines that gives guidance and direction to his life. Everyone, without exception. You, me, everyone.

The question is: Which rule governs your life?

For most of us, our “rules” are not written down. But they’re observable in the ways we spend our time and the various priorities that guide our choices. We’ve made up our “rules” as we’ve gone along in life, and, perhaps for most of us, they’ve worked pretty well for so far.

Pretty well.

The problem with such “rules” of life, however, is twofold: First, they don’t include enough specific guidance for our souls and for using our time in seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, which is our first priority (Matt. 6.33). And, second, because our rules are unwritten and we are on our own in pursuing them, it can be difficult to keep from bending or ignoring them when the going gets tough.

Which is why I think it’s important to establish a Personal Rule of Discipline, first, to give specific guidance and structure to the development of our spiritual lives, and, second, to chart a path for Kingdom growth and service in every area of our lives (Ps. 90.12, 16, 17).

A Personal Rule can be a powerful map for your journey with the Lord, bringing more focus, order, and fruitfulness to your life.

Bishop Erc was pleased when God put it on young Brendan’s heart to study how the saints of Ireland before him had structured their lives and worked for growth in their souls and service to others. He believed God had put it in Brendan’s heart to establish his own rule of life, because he understood a very basic principle of effective life and ministry: When you covenant with God, and with others who care for your soul as you do, according to a specific regimen of disciplines, objectives, and activities, the likelihood is greater that you will prosper in every area of your life.

This is what we mean by living to rule.

We establish a rule, or schedule, of disciplines, make a covenant with God, share it with others, and invite them to support, encourage, and hold us accountable along the way (the Greek word for “prosper” means “to complete a successful journey”, as in 3 Jn. 2).

The story of Brendan’s life and exploits was so beloved in medieval Europe that 125 manuscripts in three languages have survived to repeat it to this day.

Will our lives be so well-disciplined and our time so full of the Lord and fruitful for His Kingdom, that others will want to hear our story?

Psalm 90.12-17 (Landas: “My Faith Has Found a Resting Place”)
So teach us all our days to note that wisdom may be ours.
Return, O Lord, have mercy on those servants who are Yours.
Each morning let Your love appear that we for joy may sing,
And make us glad for every day You us affliction bring.

Now let Your work to us appear; our children show Your might.
And let Your favor rest on us; show mercy in Your sight.
The work that You have given us, confirm, and to us show,
That we Your chosen path may walk and in Your precepts go.

I don’t know, Lord: Am I as disciplined about the nurture of my soul and the use of my times as I should be?

Our online course, Spiritual Maturity 1: Revival, can teach you how to live a more focused and disciplined Christian life. You can take it online by yourself (or with a friend), or we can supply a Mentor to walk you through the seven lessons in the course. And there is no charge for tuition. Check out the course offering at our website, and let this be the day you take steps to gain a more disciplined and fruitful life fo the Lord.

T. M. Moore, Principal
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.