by By Dan Kimeu
As this new year begins, many believers are thinking about resolutions – habits to change, goals to pursue, and patterns we hope to improve. Yet long before modern ideas of self-improvement, the church framed human life and resolution around a deeper and more searching question.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, “What is the chief end of man?” and answers, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” If this is truly our purpose, then the most important question before us is not simply what we will accomplish this year, but how our lives are ordered toward God that we may glorify him and enjoy him.
For the Christian, this leads directly to the question of abiding. How do we remain in Christ in a way that shapes our whole life?
Abiding is one of the most familiar words in Christian language, yet it is also one of the most demanding. Jesus’ words in John 15:1-5 make clear that fruitfulness does not come from own effort, but from remaining connected to Him. Branches bear fruit because they stay attached to the vine. In the same way, spiritual growth flows from a life that is rooted in Christ. Abiding is not a momentary experience or an occasional spiritual high. It is a sustained way of living in communion with God. The challenge, then, is practical. What kind of daily life actually supports abiding?
This is where the idea of a rule of life becomes especially helpful. A rule of life is not a rigid set of religious rules or a spiritual checklist. As Ruth Barton describes it in her book ‘Sacred Rhythms’, it is an intentional pattern of rhythms and practices that shape a person toward their deepest desire for God. It provides structure that supports spiritual formation rather than leaving this to chance. Instead of assuming that growth will happen when life becomes less busy, a rule of life accepts the reality of our lives and asks how faithfulness can be practiced within them. It is a way of ordering daily life so that glorifying God and enjoying Him are not abstract ideals, but lived realities.
The value of a rule of life becomes clear when we recognize how easily spiritual desire is crowded out. Modern life moves quickly and demands constant attention. Even sincere believers often try to fit prayer, Scripture, and reflection into leftover moments of the day. Over time, this leads to an irregular and reactive spirituality. We turn to God mainly in moments of crisis, while the ordinary rhythms of life are shaped by urgency and distraction. Without intentional structure, we are often driven by external pressures rather than discernment or a steady awareness of God’s presence.
A rule of life offers a different framework. It helps us notice what gives life and clarity, and what quietly diminishes our attentiveness to God. It invites us to align daily choices with the movement of the Spirit. This encompasses how we start and end our days, how we work, how we rest, and how we interact with others.
Rather than adding more activity, a rule of life often encourages simplification. Fewer distractions create space for prayer. Slower rhythms make room for listening. In this way, structure becomes a means of freedom rather than control.
Despite its value, many Christians struggle with the idea of a rule of life. Some fear that structure will lead to rigidity or legalism. Others assume that spiritual growth will happen naturally without disciplined attention. Many have never paused long enough to examine their patterns honestly. Certain practices, such as silence or self-examination, can feel uncomfortable because they expose inner realities that are easy to ignore. These practices slow us down and force us to confront what is actually shaping us.
Life-stage pressures also contribute to resistance. When life feels overwhelming or exhausting, intentional spiritual practices can seem unrealistic. Parents, students, caregivers, and ministry leaders often feel they have no margin left to give. Yet these seasons often reveal the cost of living without grounding rhythms. Fatigue increases, discernment weakens, and faith becomes reactive rather than rooted. A rule of life does not remove these pressures, but it helps anchor the soul within them.
A healthy rule of life is simple, realistic, and life-giving. It does not demand perfection or comparison with others. Instead, it invites consistency and honesty. Over time, it helps spiritual desire become a sustained pattern rather than a passing intention. Abiding becomes less about trying harder and more about remaining connected. Growth becomes less frantic and more grounded and sustainable.
You could include these resolutions for the year 2026
As the new year begins, a rule of life can take concrete shape through a few intentional practices that support abiding. These practices are not meant to be exhaustive or burdensome, but steady and sustaining.
- Prayer
Consistent prayer forms the foundation of a rule of life. Setting aside a regular time each day to pray creates space to speak honestly with God and to listen. This rhythm anchors the day in dependence and reminds the believer that life is lived before God, not merely managed for Him. Over time, consistent prayer cultivates attentiveness to God’s presence throughout the day.
2. Personal Time with God
Personal devotion, or private time with God, deepens this attentiveness. This is the unhurried space where believers are formed through silence, reflection, journaling, or quiet meditation. Personal devotion allows the heart to slow down and become aware of God beyond words and tasks. It nurtures intimacy and guards against a faith driven solely by activity.
3. Daily Bible Reading
Daily engagement with Scripture is another essential rhythm. Reading the Bible regularly allows God’s Word to shape the imagination, renew the mind, and guide daily decisions. This practice does not require speed or volume, but faithfulness. Over time, Scripture becomes a steady voice that forms convictions and anchors believers in truth amid competing influences.
4. Community
We have a corporate call as the church. Our faith is not purely individual; we are part of a United body under one head, Christ. Therefore, our rule of life should have corporate practices that help us live as one body of Christ. These can include Bible study discussions, group prayers, celebration, corporate worship and spiritual friendships.
5. Service
Service to others gives outward expression to abiding. A rule of life that includes intentional service ensures that spiritual formation does not turn inward. Serving others through acts of care, generosity, hospitality, or involvement in the church reflects the love of Christ at work in everyday life. Service becomes the fruit of abiding rather than an additional demand.
Together, these practices help believers order their lives around what matters most. They provide a rhythm that sustains faith in ordinary days and steadying seasons alike.As this new year begins, adopting a rule of life may be one of the most meaningful resolutions a believer can make. It is a quiet decision to abide on purpose and to shape life around the pursuit of God’s glory and the enjoyment of His presence. In doing so, believers are formed into people whose lives are rooted in Christ and whose fruit endures.
