The Power of Divine Rhythms: 3 Steps to Achieve Your Goals
You have goals, you have dreams, you have a vision….
What would it be like to use Divine Rhythms to achieve your goals and dreams?
What IS a Divine Rhythm? A Divine Rhythm is to partner with GOD on the routines (rhythms) you want to put in place to accomplish dreams.
The 3 steps?
🔸 Learn from the Saints
🔸 Create a daily structure
🔸 Integrate don’t compartmentalize
Step One: Learn from the Saints
They had great plans and a purpose from GOD – just like we do. How did they get it done?
St. Benedict was a 6th century Saint who created what is called “The Rule”. It’s a compass, a blueprint for a life of purpose, discipline, and maximized potential.
Side note – Anyone else cringe with the word “discipline”? For me, it brings to mind rules and trying to make me do something I don’t want to do. It also feels rigid. I am inviting all of us, including me, to release that hard and rigid version – let go of the harshness – let’s use train or practice instead.
Is that a deal?
Okay – St. Benedict founded 12 communities of monks in Italy. He also established a monastery and wrote “The Rule” which is a simple set of guidelines on living life. Now he was focusing on living life as a monk, but these concepts are still relevant today and can be valuable to everyone.
The Rule talked about stability – anchoring into a community. It allows for us to have consistency and focus. It talks about balance – a balance of work, prayer, and leisure. Yes, even in the 6th century they knew the value of balance; incorporating intentional rest and recreation to avoid burnout and create space for growth. The Rule talks about obedience – do we schedule what GOD has asked us to do into our day? And lastly, work with purpose – approach our work with dedication, integrity, and a mindset that seeks to glorify GOD. Keep in mind “work” is ALL the things we do, not just what we get paid for.
Do we set intentions for the day? Do we write out our goals? Our work is meant to be sanctified, or set apart, if we allow GOD to work in and with us. Have we invited Him into our work? Have we invited Him into our health journey? Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit – we are stewards! It is part of our “work”, our health journey, to take care of our bodies. Setting goals and intentions in all areas of our lives helps us increase our clarity and focus.
The second Saint is St. Teresa of Avila. She reformed the Carmelite Order, wrote several books, founded monasteries, and maintained strong spiritual friendships. She used 3 tools:
1. Self-examination and reflection – St. Teresa of Avila used reflection and journaling to identify areas of growth.
2. Strategic planning – She used strategic planning before it was “a thing”. She had a clear vision and a plan of action. St. Teresa used a technique that was just a small shift to the “to-do list”. She made a “must do” list and limited it to 3 things.
3. Collaboration and Mentorship – She sought counsel from trusted advisors. Proverbs 27 “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another”.
We can seek out like minded women who will hold us accountable, encourage us, celebrate our wins, and give us honest feedback. We need coaches and we need community.
The third Saint is St. Josemaria Escriva. He was born in the early 1900’s in Spain. St. Josemaria integrated spirituality into everyday activities. Our work and daily activities are opportunities for personal growth and service to GOD. This gives our daily rhythms purpose and adds spiritual depth. He came up with the idea of a “Heroic Moment”. It’s a moment when we keep our word to ourselves. As an example, he said getting out of bed when we say we are, is the first Heroic Moment victory of the day. It’s about setting the intention with GOD, keeping your word, and always trying again when you fail.
You might recognize some of the names of others who have used structures to accomplish their goals – Winston Churchill, Michael Jordan, and Albert Einstein. They all had specific routines, or rhythms, that moved their potential forward and they gave themselves space to breathe. They incorporated free time for their mind, body, and soul to relax, dream, create, and think.
We can do the same thing!
Step Two: Create a daily structure
I usually start with annual goals, targets, or dreams and those are broken down into 3 “big” things. When I keep these in front of me it helps me to “keep my eye on the prize”.
I breakdown those annual targets into quarterly and monthly chunks so they’re more manageable. Like if I had a target of releasing 20 pounds – when I break that down into months, it’s just 1.6 pounds a month! I know right? I can hear the sigh of relief from here!
I have a structure to create my Divine Month and my Divine Week. If you are interested in getting worksheets with those structures, send me a short email.
Next is what pulls it all together and creates success – Divine Daily Time with Jesus.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” - James 1:5 ESV
I start my day with a devotion, scripture, or meditation – it’s my coffee and Jesus time. Then I take my dog, Deacon, for a walk and I’ll consider and reflect on the verse or study. I ask GOD to help me clarify what are the 3 things I need to do for the day – my priorities or my “must do’s”. I always think I have more than 3, that’s why I seek GOD’s guidance and wisdom to help me choose the most important. If I don’t get anything else done, I need to get these “must do’s” done. There may be only 1, but no more than 3.
I use the structure I call “Divine Daily Time with Jesus”. I do this in the morning, but it’s just as effective if you use it in the evening. I fill this out after I get home from my walk, refreshed and ready for my day.
I write down a reflection I had about the scripture or devotion I read earlier. I write down at least 1 thing I’m grateful for. I also write down a challenge I’m having.
Next, I do a quick review of what I had worked on yesterday – what went well and/or what I could have done differently. I have a space to write down a specific message I feel the LORD has for me.
Lastly, I list out 1 - 3 “must do’s”. I struggle with only listing 3. Many times this ends up in my “challenges”. I might write in my challenge section “I want to do ALL the things”.
Step Three: Integrate don’t compartmentalize
As a Christian Health and Life Coach, I help women integrate their faith into their health journey. But, what does that mean?
We so often compartmentalize our life that it is easy to leave GOD out of an area. We don’t do it intentionally – not at all – but it happens.
I shared earlier that my mornings start with time with Jesus. My coffee and Jesus time, listening or reading a devotion. My heart and soul are full – full of hope, full of GOD’s presence, full of excitement for the day.
Several months ago, I had a huge revelation of how I was compartmentalizing my life, specifically my work. After my beautiful morning time, I would get ready for work and go into my office. What I realized is that while I didn’t intentionally leave GOD out in the hallway, I never intentionally invited him into my office. I didn’t ask Him to help with my day, my challenges, my opportunities. I just sat down at my desk and got to work.
GOD wanted to partner with me, but I inadvertently didn’t ask! I was being self-reliant which leads to all kinds of overwhelm, anxiety, and worry. I can be GOD-reliant! He promises in Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”
GOD-reliance – it’s all in the asking! Now when I take my morning walk, I ask GOD to show me what my “must do’s” are. When I sit down at my desk, I ask GOD “What is it that you want women to know today?”
GOD is faithful and when I commit to the LORD whatever I’m doing, He will establish my plans. Proverbs 16:3
This structure isn’t just for work. Do we invite GOD to help us with our health? Do we ask “GOD, what are my 3 “must do’s” today that will help me be healthier?”
We don’t intentionally leave GOD out of our health journey, but do we intentionally invite Him in? We can ask for guidance in what are some small changes that we can make. We can ask for wisdom on how to listen to our body for clues as to what it needs to be nourished.
Integrate GOD into every area of your life and you will see how all areas improve. All the dimensions of our lives are integrated – what affects our health, affects our finances, vocations, and relationships. Think how when we are sick how it can create financial challenges. It can drain our energy and affects our performance at work or how much energy we have to spend with our family and friends. Our environment affects our mental and emotional areas – think how having a cluttered desk can make you feel anxious and unorganized.
“A rising tide lifts all boats” ~ JFK. That image works with our life as well. Partner with GOD in creating the Divine Rhythms in your life – it changes everything. It’s all in the asking.
What are your goals and dreams that can be accomplished by embracing Divine Rhythms? What is one Divine Rhythm you can put in place today that will move you forward to your dream?
If you want my structure of Divine Daily Time with Jesus, here is the link to download the PDF.
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Dear readers and wellness enthusiasts, thank you for joining me on this journey toward a healthier and more faith-integrated life.
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Debra Loader is a Christian Health and Wellness Coach, a Christian Life Coach, as well as a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC). She helps women integrate their Christian faith into their health and wellness journey to find greater motivation and resilience. You can contact Debra at debra@debraloaderlivingwell.com or 810-287-4096.