A Sabbath Life in a Virtual World: Making a Rule of Life
The last few weeks have changed the ways we’re used to living. Now it seems so much of our lives have been pushed online, and into a digital space. But it’s really important to stay connected to each other, and I’m grateful we have tools that allow us to do that. In fact, Rez is doing a lot more online, and it’s been really helpful.
But like any tool, digital tools can quickly take over our lives if we’re not careful. We’ve all experienced some form of this. You find yourself scrolling on Instagram (or twitter or facebook or ...) to kill time. You might even be around others but on your phone, responding to texts and calls all day, and losing the connection to the present. We can constantly feel on our heels with all of this digital input, spending most of our time hurriedly reacting to life instead of being intentional and enjoying life’s gifts. Some of this is just part of our new remote work, home school, and our social-distancing environments. I get that. However, without practicing limits, these digital tools can make us the tool, directing our mindset and actions.
In truth, these tools that creep in and occupy us aren’t really the problem. Most often they are just symptoms of a deeper need for really good things, like safety, connection, or comfort. The problem is that we’re often looking to the wrong things to fill these deep needs. And our digital tools can keep us so busy and distracted that we don’t even realize what we’re missing; that these deep longings can only be filled by God.
To help you reflect on whether this could be describing you, I’ve put together a four question self-examination tool. It pushes you to ask: “my soul, how are things, really?” I hope you will take some time and do this self-examination. This isn’t meant to be used to pick on yourself, so be kind and honest. Take a posture of compassionate curiosity. Let it shed some light on where you really are, and where God may be inviting you to be.
My sense of what is true, beautiful, and good is most shaped by ____________ .
My self-image and self-worth are most shaped by _____________.
My source of rest, refreshment, and renewal most come from ______________.
When I am afraid or stressed, I reach for my ____________.
Now ask yourself, what practices might help bring you to a place where all of those blanks were filled in by the answer, “my life with God”? Now, invite God into the conversation and observe your answers together. In what ways do you sense his invitation? And what practices might help you cooperate with his invitation?
I know this isn’t easy, and it can even be overwhelming for some. But one concrete, practical thing you might consider to help you journey from where you are to where God calls you to be is to have a “Rule of Life.” A Rule of Life is an ancient Christian way of ordering life, with “rule” meaning “guide.” It is a commitment we set for ourselves so that our lives can be arranged for some beautiful, good, and true purpose.
To help you determine if a Rule of Life might be good for you, I’ve put together a simple guide to help you think through a Rule of Life. To set the context for this guide, I ask you to allow yourself plenty of grace as you reflect. The goal is not to stir up feelings of shame or guilt, but rather to assess your spiritual practices with compassionate curiosity. You can find the link to the Rule of Life guide below. I encourage you to print this out and sit with it over a cup of coffee or over lunch. When you’ve got some thoughts written down, you might consider sharing it with someone you trust, such as your table group or a close friend.
Keep in mind, even with all that has changed in the world, we are still in pursuit of the same thing as before: a life with God. We’re just reconsidering how to proceed now that so much of our present circumstances have shifted. Before diving into all of the new digital offerings, and risk that the old hurry and restlessness will simply be shifted onto a new forum, take a pause and use this opportunity to really reflect. Write a first draft in the Rule of Life guide; make adjustments; test drive it, and let it be a tool for an intentional life with God. As you do, I want to offer this prayer that has been meaningful to me for a pursuit of God:
Teach me to seek you, and as I seek you, show yourself to me; for I cannot seek you unless you show me how, and I will never find you unless you show yourself to me. Let me seek you by desiring you, and desire you by seeking you; let me find you by loving you, and love you in finding you. Amen.
by Anselm of Canterbury, BCP 672
