What You'll Need

• 45-60 minutes of uninterrupted time

• Your reflections from Steps 1-3

• A journal or notebook

• A candle (optional)

• Your favorite centering practice

Beginning Where We Are

Like Shiphrah and Puah, who found sustainable ways to resist empire while bringing new life into the world, we too are called to find practices that allow us to remain grounded in divine love while engaging in sacred action.

Review and Integration

Begin with your centering practice. Light your candle if you have one. Take three deep breaths, letting each exhale release any tension or preoccupation.

Review your work from the previous steps:

• Step 1: Your core truth and vision

• Step 2: Your Inner Authority statement

• Step 3: Your Sacred Yes and No

Notice any themes, patterns, or connections among these pieces. What story are they telling about who you are and what you're called to do?

The Practice of Sacred Rhythm

Just as Howard Thurman found his rhythm between contemplation and action, between his oak tree and the world's needs, we now create practices that will sustain our own sacred work. Consider these domains:

1. Spiritual Practices

What practices help you "center down" and stay rooted in divine love? Consider:

• Daily prayer or meditation

• Scripture reading

• Time in nature

• Movement practices

• Creative expression

• Community worship

Choose 2-3 practices that feel life-giving and sustainable. Be specific about when and how you'll engage them.

2. Learning Practices

What do you need to learn to live out your calling? Consider:

• Books to read

• Skills to develop

• People to learn from

• Experiences to seek

• Questions to explore

Choose 1-2 specific learning goals that align with your Sacred Yes.

3. Community Practices

Who will walk with you? Consider:

• Regular gatherings

• Accountability partnerships

• Mentoring relationships

• Service opportunities

• Small groups

Identify 2-3 specific ways you'll stay connected to community.

4. Action Practices

What specific actions align with your Sacred Yes? Consider:

• Daily/weekly commitments

• Monthly rhythms

• Quarterly projects

• Annual goals

Choose 3-4 concrete actions that feel sustainable and life-giving.

5. Rest Practices

How will you ensure sustainable engagement? Consider:

• Sabbath rhythms

• Boundaries to maintain

• Joy practices

• Physical care

• Mental renewal

Identify 2-3 specific practices that will help you stay sustained.

Creating Your Working Paper

Now, bringing together all your work, create your Working Paper. This is a living document that you'll return to regularly. Include these sections:

Core Truth and Vision (from Step 1)

• What you know to be true

• Your vision for the world

Inner Authority (from Step 2)

• Who you are

• What you bring

• Where you belong

Sacred Yes and No (from Step 3)

• What you're called to do

• What you need to release

• Who walks with you

Sustainable Practices (from Step 4)

• Your spiritual practices

• Your learning practices

• Your community practices

• Your action practices

• Your rest practices

Regular Review

Set specific times to review and update your Working Paper:

• Daily: Read one section

• Weekly: Review your practices

• Monthly: Reflect on alignment

• Quarterly: Update as needed

• Annually: Deep revision

Reminders

• We can't do this alone

• God empowers and multiplies

• Everyone has what is theirs to do

• We will not do this perfectly

• You have a special part to play

Closing Prayer

Return to your breath. Feel the ground beneath you. Close with this prayer or one of your own:

"Divine Presence, thank you for the gift of calling and the grace of community. Help me stay rooted in your love as I seek to live out what is mine to do. Grant me wisdom to know when to act and when to rest, courage to stay true to my Sacred Yes, and joy in the journey of coming alive to your world. Amen."

Next Steps

• Type or write out your Working Paper in a format you'll actually use

• Share it with a trusted friend or spiritual companion

• Schedule your first review session

• Begin your practices tomorrow

Trust that as you come alive to what is yours to do, you participate in God's healing of the world.

Remember Howard Thurman's words: "Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive."