Dream Awakener

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Today as we continue our series on developing a rhythm or rule of life, we are going to look at the area of work – our vocation.  Before sharing my rhythm of life in regard to work, I thought I would share with you some ancient thoughts about work as it relates to different communities who have developed a rhythm of life from Farrington’s book  Living Faith Day by Day.

"By choosing to work as hard as possible, but not more than you ought, not primarily in view of a perishable end but one that last for ever, you are to stand free and challenging in a world where work has been overrated into a religion ad often into a sacred cow…" – The Jerusalem Community Rule of Life

"When the day’s work is ended, thanksgiving should be offered for what has been granted us or for what we have done rightly therein…" – The Long Rules of St. Basil

"Discover for yourself what seems to be the most fruitful field for you." – Rule for New Brother

As I share my rhythm of life in regard to work, think about what your’s might look like.

WORK

• Pray regularly for the congregations I serve, our focus points, as well as what God has called me to do, helping lead our congregations to fulfill our destiny

• Take time each week to listen to the Spirit through my staff and community

• Take a monthly time to consider ways to better steward my time and money, as well as take care of my relationships

• Accept the gift of limits by monthly reviewing the chapter in The Emotional Healthy Church and take the time to assess my emotional health as well as the emotional health of the church I serve

• Seek the applause of God while at the same time applauding the efforts of others and humbly thanking people when complimented, without letting it enlargen my head

• Take time monthly to review my mentoring relationships and review the notes that I have written in the area of mentoring   

So how would you write your rhythm of life in the area of your vocation?  I would like to close this entry with a prayer from the book of Common Prayer: 

Almighty God our heavenly Father, you declare your glory and show forth your handiwork in the heavens and in the earth: Deliver us in our various occupations from the service of self alone, that we may do the work you give us to do in truth and beauty and for the common good; for the sake of him who came among us as one who serves, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

In part five of this series we will look at the area of study.