Our son, Joshua, is learning to play the guitar. After taking several lessons he has discovered how to rhythmically strum the guitar and play a few chords. Watching his improvement over time has been such a joy. Just like learning to play the guitar, or any other instrument, life is about finding or staying in rhythm.

Our family moved to Texas about seven months ago. After living in Raleigh, North Carolina, for 11 years, the Lord brought us to McKinney, Texas, as we embarked on a whole new journey. Previously, Ashli and I have had to move several times and we have lived in several different places.

Changes, such as having kids, getting a new job, moving, buying and selling a house, can disrupt our life rhythms. Rhythms of life are directly tied to our personal lives. For instance, when you lose a loved one, you stop everything you are doing to mourn their loss.

But the truth is that we don’t pay attention to life’s rhythms on a regular basis, but we should! We would be wise not to forget that time is precious, and that how we choose to spend our time directly affects our rhythms of life.

Like a pacemaker, time is one of life’s greatest rhythm monitors. The author of Ecclesiastes was right when he wrote,

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2     a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
4     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

Life is filled with different seasons. Seasons, are rhythm indicators.

The fact of the matter is that, more often than not, we don’t stop to think about the rhythms of life we are on until we skip a beat. We don’t think about loss until we lose something or someone. We don’t stop to truly appreciate someone until we are no longer able to talk with them or be around them. We forget to appreciate others or pray for our loved ones only until news of pain, disease, or suffering alters the pace of their lives or ours.

My advice? Don’t waste life’s God-given opportunities; adjust your pace if necessary!

If you are faced with loss … then ask God to strengthen you to endure

If you are faced with pain … then as God to help you find ways to be grateful to Him

If you are faced with sorrow … then ask God to rejuvenate your spirit to worship Him more fully

If you are faced with a difficult challenge … then ask God to remind you that nothing is impossible for Him

Have You Lost Your Mind? Readjust Your Rhythm

Have you noticed how stressed people have been lately? Even though we are presented with a buffet of entertainment options, people are still bored out of their minds. In fact, people are angry. The APA (American Psychological Association) recently issued a warning: “We are facing a national mental health crisis that could yield serious health and social consequences for years to come.”

Our life rhythms are directly affected by what happens in our minds. That is why the apostle Paul wrote in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” The renewing of the mind has to do with monitoring our life rhythms.

Personally, I decided to take a break from writing on my blog for a few months. Our family’s move to Texas, adjusting to a new rhythm of life, required a lot of juggling. A lot of times, this “juggling” required saying “no” to things I was used to doing on a regular basis that I needed to put on halt to focus on other things. From time to time you need to say no to certain things so your life’s song does not end up sounding arrhythmic.

If you are feeling stressed, burned out, or flat out exhausted, it likely means you need to readjust your life’s rhythm. The psalmist writes, “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14, ESV). “Wait” … maybe that’s what you need to do to readjust your life’s rhythm!

How to Readjust Your Life’s Rhythm

One of the most helpful things to do when someone falls out of rhythm is to stop. If you need to readjust your rhythm, stop. Reflect on the current state of your emotional, physical, and spiritual life.

Here are some ways you can readjust some of life’s rhythms:

  1. Find a quiet place to go pray. Jesus himself did it, “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed” Mark 1:35. In the past two months I have found a designated spot where I go to pray every day Monday through Friday, from 8:00-8:30am.
  2. Meditate on God’s Word. The Psalmist, speaking of Christ, wrote, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” Do you notice the rhythms in this passage (walk, stand, sit, meditate day and night). Currently I have been reading a Psalm a day, besides other Scriptures. I bought an ESV Psalm Bible and I read one chapter a day during my time with the Lord.
  3. Reprioritize your priorities. Jesus told us, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Seeking God’s kingdom first above all things is about prioritizing well. What hobbies or habits do you need to either give up or change? What activities are you currently engaged with that are a distraction? How much of your time can be redeemed by giving up time on your electronic device, whether it be your computer, phone, or TV?
  4. Get help. If you need help readjusting your life’s rhythms don’t be afraid to seek help. If you need spiritual help, the easiest way to access it is to go directly to the Lord: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). If you need emotional help, find a friend, pastor, professional counselor, or mentor that can encourage you. If you need physical help, hire a personal trainer, meet with your doctor, or simply change your diet or exercise routine.

Above all, don’t forget God is life’s greatest choir conductor. He will help guide you to stay on beat!

Written by Daniel Messina