Through my studies at Sattler, I’ve learned the value of regular daily rhythms—practices I keep regardless of how busy my schedule becomes. For me, these include morning silence, an afternoon lunch break, and evening prayer. Over time, they’ve become pillars of sustainability, helping me thrive both as a student and as a disciple of Christ.

These rhythms grew out of both necessity and Sattler’s discipleship program (DLAB). DLAB gave me a framework for tracking spiritual disciplines like prayer, fasting, and Scripture reading. It also revealed the deeper purpose behind those practices and how they shape me as a follower of Jesus. At the same time, I realized I needed daily “stakes in the ground” to keep me centered amid Sattler’s rigorous academics.

In these rhythms, I’ve found rest, rejuvenation, and inspiration. They help me stay attentive to my physical, mental, and spiritual well-being—all of which can be threatened by a Google Calendar full of classes and deadlines. Morning silence eases my mind into the day. Afternoon lunch breaks offer refreshment (and a quick game of foosball). Evening prayer calls me to pause my work and refocus on Jesus, the true source of life.

I’ve learned that to receive the full fruit of these practices, you must submit to them—especially when it feels counterintuitive. Stopping work at 9:00 p.m. for prayer when assignments are due takes trust. Yet again and again, I’ve found that these “stakes in the ground” not only lead to better work but also keep me faithful to habits that have deep, soul-forming effects on my relationship with God and others.

Featured image courtesy of Yaniv Knobel on Unsplash.