Two Books to Help Your Rhythms
There are often two reasons we struggle to develop good rhythms; we don’t think they matter that much or we can’t seem to make them ‘stick’. I’ve found both of those to be true at different points in my life, and the books recommended below tackle each of those struggles in different ways. I think they’d both benefit anyone - but have a read to see which one might fit you better!
You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit by James K.A Smith
Smith opens by stating that ‘discipleship...is a way to curate your heart to be attentive to and intentional about what you love’, and he demonstrates this in theory and practice throughout. This book helps us to recognise the vital role that our habits and desires play in our worship of Jesus, and then provides a roadmap for directing them more fully towards Jesus.
One of the most helpful aspects of You Are What You Love is that it unflinchingly addresses the fact that you might not love what you think. I’m not sure if you’ve ever had a moment when you’re reading something and the author has put things into words that you’ve always felt but never been able to articulate, but for me, that happened multiple times throughout my reading. I was forced to reckon with the fact that I loved things more than I ought to and I’d never even recognised it. Much of this comes by virtue of the culture in which we live, as Smith notes that ‘the habits we’ve acquired shape how we perceive the world, which in turn disposes us to act in certain ways.’
Helpfully, the book concludes with three chapters given to practically considering how this plays out in the home, in the raising of children, and in the workplace. For anyone desiring to embody their faith in Jesus more faithfully and intentionally in any sphere of life, this book will not only enable you to take stock of where you are currently but also help you in working out how to practically live to that end.
You can purchase it here.
Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones by James Clear
You cannot read this book and walk away without greater clarity about how to build lasting habits. While offering detailed practical advice and examples is Clear’s main purpose, he concludes that ‘your habits matter because they help you become the type of person you wish to be...quite literally, you become your habits.’ For anyone wanting to embed their rhythms of grace deeper in their life - this book offers great practical wisdom.
There are definitely points where the desire to ‘achieve greater success’ and striving for more efficiency in life seem to clash with the Christian worldview, which is worth being aware of while reading. However much of what Clear presents can be adapted and tempered helpfully to apply to the rhythms of following Jesus, and when held within a framework of grace the practical strategies prove to be beneficial and useful. The tools to adapt your habits to your own life, practising the art of showing up rather than perfection, and loving the process not the product are particularly useful in developing spiritual disciplines.
Strikingly, Clear suggests that ‘your habits are how you embody your identity’, giving examples such as ‘when you make your bed each day, you embody the identity of an organised person. When you write each day, you embody the identity of a creative person. When you train each day, you embody the identity of an athletic person.’
When our identity is already secure in Christ, how much more should that lead us to live into that identity through our rhythms?
You can purchase it here.
