Week #4: Subversive Games for Ruthlessly Eliminating Hurry
Subversive Games for Week of October 24-30
For more details about Games, visit our Communal Practices page . Or visit our Sermons page to access last week’s conversation about Ruthlessly Eliminating Hurry and Games for Un-hurrying our lives.
Jesus invited apprentices to Consider the birds of the air and the lilies of the field (Matthew 6) as an antidote to anxiety. Below are practices or Games that we sense may help us to slow down and PAY ATTENTION to the Christ, to our neighbors, to our own selves, and to the Creation.
Game #1: Play “Battleship” with the Christ aka Craft a Rule of Life
Consider setting aside 30ish minutes to slow down, make your favorite beverage, and then sit at a comfortable location. Begin playing this subversive game by taking an inventory of where your “ships” are currently placed. In plain words - Can you name where your time and attention are currently being placed?
What rhythms are hurried or are draining Life? What are the rhythms that bring you Life to the Full?
Ship Inventory aka Liturgical (Habit) Audit
After assessing…
Consider where might you sense the Christ inviting you to reposition your “ships”?
How to Re-Position my Ships aka Craft a Rule of Life:
First, Write down these Four Categories (aka Ships) and the potential practices (aka white pegs in Battleship) that fall under each category:
Communion | Prayer - This encompasses anything that allows you to connect relationally with Jesus. Typically, spiritual practices associated with Scripture and prayer.
Scripture, Silence, Solitude, Prayer, Study
Rest | Play - Enjoyment best sums up this category. What helps you enjoy God and the good gifts of life?
Sabbath, Sleep, Simplicity, Recreation
Work | Activity - Your paid-work goals, non-paid work goals, and service in the church fam go here.
Job/Vocation, Mission/Service, Care for Physical body
Community | Relationships
Family, Friendships, Church community, local community, emotional health/personal development
Second, consider the rhythms of various practices.
1. Daily 2. Weekly 3. Monthly 4. Quarterly 5. Yearly
Third, choose essential practices for this season.
What do I need right now to experience Jesus?
What activities put a smile on my face and energize me?
What does love for neighbor look like right now?
Fourth, keep it simple; be intentional.
Start small, pray, and prioritize. Pick rhythms of life that will counterbalance your unhealthy propensities.
For example, my back chronically aches from scoliosis. If I do specific stretches, I feel good. Neglect them; I hurt. A rule of life is similar. Do what helps you become spiritually and emotionally healthy.
Example of a Rule of Life:
Here’s a Template of a ROL
Other Items to Consider when Playing Battleship with Christ:
What are 1-2 “upstream” practices you want to incorporate into your Rule?
These are those practices which are challenging the shadow side of yourself.
What are several “downstream” practices to help move you through life with enjoyment?
These are practices which come more natural and are life-giving.
For what timeframe will you practice this Rule of Life?
3 months? 6 months? Beginning when? Ending when?
Remember:
This is a strategy-game-process. Trial and error are your friends.
A Rule of Life is dynamic, not static.
A ROL is seasonal…based on limits, context, and subject to change.
Resources for Crafting a Rule of Life:
Rule of Life Workbook by Emotionally Healthy Discipleship
Rule of Life Worksheet - 4 Quadrants by Peter Scazzero
Unhurrying with a Rule of Life by Bridgetown Church
What is a Rule of Life?
"The term Rule of Life has its linguistic roots in an ancient Greek word that means 'trellis'... it is a support structure that helps us to grow up and abide in Christ. This, in turn, enables our lives to thrive spiritually and our leadership to be abundantly fruitful."- Pete Scazzero (The Emotionally Healthy Leader, pg.135)
A rule of life helps us wrestle with the chaos of demands, determine what's important, and live a life of flourishing.
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. - John 15:5