Godly Rhythms

“One of the reasons that many people don’t feel an intimacy with God is because they don’t have a daily rhythm with God. ” This statement by the author, Mark Batterson, really resonated with me as I read it. “DAILY RHYTHMS WITH GOD.” This is much deeper and much more meaningful than daily routines, things like my usual wake-up time, taking a shower and then having that first morning coffee (although I must argue that coffee has a delicious rhythm of its own!).

I love the word “RHYTHM” in that statement, perhaps because I love music. It speaks of a regular, repeated pattern of some kind, e.g. the tempo and flow of a song, or the carefully choreographed steps of a dance. But it does not leave me with the feeling of monotony. Rather, it creates a sense of security and joy in the somewhat predictability of the rhythm. In fact, one of the first sounds we are exposed to after conception would be the repetitive, steady rhythm of our mother’s heartbeat!

Intimacy needs time to mature. True intimacy would imply that there has been a regular, mutual investment of time and self in a relationship, which resulted in a deep knowing of another’s being. For intimacy to be real, there would need to be rhythm of some kind – some form of regular, meaningful exchange. In practice, the way this exchange takes place may look different from one person to another.

I’ve been married for more than 32 years now. There are many times my husband and I “chat on the go” – while on our way to a meeting, during supper, and during many other day to day activities , but the really special times for me are the times we intentionally set aside to be together and enjoy each other, catching up on some deeper things, sharing our difficulties and celebrating the joys and “wins” in our lives. Being together – and by this I mean being fully present in the moment – somehow establishes a special connection and deepens trust and affection. I suspect that it will be no different in our relationship with God. For daily rhythms with God to develop, there would need to be those “chat-on-the-go” moments, but there would also need to be an intentional setting aside of times where we can worship Him, speak to Him, read His Word, and allow Him to speak to us without the distractions of busyness. I don’t think that casual, side glances at God would be sufficient to build meaningful intimacy.

Establishing godly rhythms might possibly start very much the same way as any new activity. When a person learns to dance, play an instrument or take up a new sport, it takes an initial decision to be committed, followed by the discipline of attending lessons/rehearsals, keeping at it and persevering despite how you feel on any given day. Having said that, our relationship with the Lord is not merely an activity. It’s a mutual exchange of my heart with His, and His heart with mine. Eventually the alone-times in His presence become exceedingly precious – a daily rhythm with God that brings a deep inner satisfaction and peace – something you wouldn’t miss for the world!

Philppians 3:10 (AMPC) “[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope].”