I though a lot about rhythm today. My eyes opened at 6:30 today after a 10 day training camp without an alarm because while there I woke up at 6:30 everyday. As I laid in bed, I thought to myself, “William, you’ve got a good life.” I don’t know if I would have said that 18 months ago. I don’t know if I would have said that a year ago. But then, that is what perseverance is all about isn’t it?
My pastor back in Texas used to say that in life you are either in a trial, getting ready to enter into a trial, or coming out of one. There’s something rhythmic about that. The Father gives order to it to draw us closer to Him. We go through suffering and pain to experience the resurrection of joy.
Romans 5:1-5 shows our justification by faith in Jesus, our joy in grace and hope for the glory of God. It also reminds us we give thanks for the trials of this world, the perseverance, character, and hope that accompany the rhythm of hardship. We are led into hope through trial! Led deeper into God’s love through the hurt that has been overcome in the cross of Jesus.
Today being the first day back from camp, I jumped into my Sunday rhythm with gusto – roll out of bed, smoothie, yoga at Masala on Bluff, feast (today with part of my LifeGroup), rest. I’ll head to church later at 5:00. Our bodies and our minds like rhythm. Our soul craves rhythm.
2 Corinthians 3:18 states “but we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. More and more glory. More and more freedom. More and more of Jesus. More and more of His Spirit. There’s got to be rhythm in that.
If I zoom out on my life and I can see the greater rhythms at work. I expect that will be the case as I continue to add years And get a broader and broader perspective.
Training camp was a safe place. A place of growth and learning. A place of vulnerability and community. A beginning of family. A time to be submerged in sweeter waters of the Lord. I am in a physically nomadic season of life. I am thankful for the consistency of Jesus and the rhythm he has for me. It will be his steadfast love that gives life in the days and months to come.
God gives us the gifts to grow us to look more like him. Here’s to the character He provides. May we all persevere toward it with grace aiming toward the hope only he can give.
