Listen:
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”1 Corinthians 15:57-58
Reflect:
Just before Christmas one of our neighbors gave Adam a toy turtle. All the lights and sounds and movement of this turtle were fascinating to our 15 month old boy! But I loved this toy because turtles always make me think of Lifesprings. The turtle is our little mascot and we love this animal and its resilience. While Adam was playing with the Turtle yesterday, he dropped it on the hard floor, and one of the legs broke off. Irreparably. I was so sad because I thought that this was the end of this cute little toy, but guess what? The toy is still perfectly functional even if it is three-legged! It even still moves and goes further on. What a big lesson from a little toy I got yesterday.
Life has so many bumps, “legs” break off so easily, we’re thrown up and down. There are many winds and bumps on our journey. We need something that helps us not just survive, but even thrive in all the various situations that life throws at us. In Lifesprings, we have a very important spiritual practice that helps us live a life that matters even when things are hard. We live according to a Rule of Life. The word ‘rule’ here comes from the Latin word ‘regula’ that means ‘trellis’, so the most simple way to describe a Rule of Life is that it is a support system that makes it possible for our lives not just to survive, but to thrive, to bear fruit, in the same way a trellis helps a vine stay off the ground and bear maximum fruit (John 15). One other way to look at a Rule of Life is as a means to help us cultivate rhythms for spiritual transformation and for a growing awareness of God’s presence.
What do I want my life to be about? What am I standing firm for? Am I giving myself fully to the work of the Lord and what does that look like? Am I experiencing victory through Christ? The answer to these questions are not philosophical, but very practical, and living by a Rule of Life helps us be true to how God designed us to be in living out the answers to these questions.
You can learn more about the Rule by listening to this brand new episode of the Lifesprings Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/ro/podcast/lifesprings-podcast/id1788111290?i=1000743413848
May 2026 be a year of fruitfulness and victory in our lives, in spite of brokenness and hardship. May our Rhythms allow us to receive God’s Love and give his Love.
Prayer of Response:
I give thanks to you, God, as you give me the victory through Jesus Christ. In 2026, help me stand firm, let nothing move me from receiving or giving your love. I give myself fully to your work, all for your glory and my joy. Amen.
Questions to Ponder:
- Where do you have it hard and heavy in your life? Oh, dear friend, I am so sorry that you are carrying such a big load. How much I long for all things to be made new in all of our lives! What do you need from Jesus in those areas?
- What rhythms do you currently have in your life that can help you receive God’s love and give his love?
Breath Prayers:
Join us in praying breath prayers each day. We invite you to write your own as well.
Inhale (Breathe in): ): I give myself fully
Exhale (Breathe out): to you, Jesus.
Inhale (Breathe in): Even in brokenness
Exhale (Breathe out): ): I can experience your victory.
(Repeat)
Submitted by Diana Anton
Diana lives in Bucharest, Romania and serves as the Executive Director of Lifesprings International and her passion is to see women worldwide connected, encouraged and prepared to keep bringing the love of Jesus Christ to our communities.
She loves long walks (on the beach are even better!) with her little family and loves to read children’s books. You can find her on instagram at life.on.farm.road or on her blog at www.lifeonfarmroad.com.