Prescriptions for Life
Jim Ladd
The Bible includes some writings that are descriptive (what someone did) and some that are prescriptive (what we all should do). For example, Mark 1:35 says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Is this descriptive or prescriptive? Or both?
This habit of Jesus to frequently rise before everyone else so that he could have uninterrupted time with His heavenly Father is truly an awesome practice. But is it prescriptive for all Christians, everywhere?
It is very easy to turn things God has done in the past, is doing in our own lives, or that we feel passionate about, into prescriptive expectations for all people. To be fair, it is also easy to weaken a prescription of the Scriptures and turn it into optional equipment based upon personal preference.
The trick is to take the best of both the descriptive and prescriptive Word of God and intentionally weave together a personal strategy for flourishing in your own life. There are tons of principles in Scripture that call us forward, and it is helpful to adopt some practices that help the Word and the Spirit to have their full work in our hearts and lives.
I want to offer a couple of ideas (not rules) for you to consider, based upon my own experience and my understanding of the Word and Ways of God. They flow out of a single sentence about spiritual formation that I deeply believe in and that my father-in-law and I worked on for two years to complete. This sentence summarizes the spiritual formation process and guides my own strategy and practice for growth:
Life transformation begins with encounters with God, is shaped by our relationships, established through spiritual disciplines, energized by serving others, and reproduced through authentic relationships.
In other words, there are some essential elements and practices that have proven to help lovers of Jesus to flourish. I think they are:
Experiencing the Presence and activity of God in an unmistakable way.
Sharing our lives and spiritual journeys with a few friends who help shape our faith.
Practicing some disciplines that have helped people for hundreds of years to have a richer experience with God and to position themselves for ongoing transformation.
Knowing and using our gifts to serve others and help grow their awareness of God.
Living authentically in our own process, without shame, seeking to know and be known in community.
I know; five things is a lot and leaves tons of room to get lost or overwhelmed, so let me suggest two practices that I would love to prescribe for all people:
Spend quality time with God on a daily basis. Aim for seven days a week and settle for no less than five. These times can include worship music, Scripture reflection, journaling, meditative prayers, etc. We have lots of resources if you want some help getting started.
Meet every single week with a friend or two who are committed to sharing what God is doing in your lives and how each of you still need to grow. Cheer each other on and pray for one another. You can learn more about one way to do this in the “micro groups” tab on our website. This can begin with high structure and formal steps before growing into a more organic and relaxed lifestyle. The goal is spiritual friendship and support.
In my opinion, these two practices are the most powerful habits a Christian can have. If I could cheer you on into just two life habits, these are the ones. Give it a shot and let me know how it’s going or if I can help in some way.