“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” — Psalm 32:8 NIV
It is important to remember that you create your own rule of life because it is meant to be specific to your personal faith journey. Meaning, there is no right or wrong way. A common approach is to break it down into daily, weekly, monthly and yearly practices. As a college student, it may be beneficial to also include a semesterly category. You can create it alone or with friends. However you go about it, lean into your creativity, and invite the Holy Spirit into the process. Here are three tips to get started:
1. Keep it simple but specific. You don’t want to overwhelm yourself by adding too many spiritual practices. Start with one or two realistic practices and add more when you feel ready to do so. The more specific your “rules” are, the better! For example, rather than “host a celebratory dinner,” try “host a celebratory dinner with friends on the last Saturday of each month.” Adding details may help you stay disciplined.
2. Consider your personality. You know yourself best, so cater to your personality as you create your rule of life. For instance, don’t feel obligated to practice silence and solitude every day if you love being around people. That being said, don’t be afraid to push yourself to try spiritual practices you are less familiar or comfortable with. It is about finding a balance of both practices you enjoy and practices to train in.
3. Consider your season of life. Keep in mind your rule of life can be revised and is subject to change over time. When a major shift occurs in your life, such as moving home, starting a new job, or going through a breakup, it may be an appropriate time to reevaluate your spiritual practices. You may feel lament prayer is unnecessary right now, but once you enter a trial, it could be a great practice to implement. Ask yourself, what do I need in this season?
