Spoken Word Meditation | The Trellis for Your Soul | The Rule of Life Series, Pt. 5

Text Michele

When you hear the phrase “Rule of Life,” what do you imagine? Do you picture Mom’s chore chart or a dusty old monastic manual? Think again. In today’s spoken-word episode, we’re flipping the script on what you might think of as a Rule of Life. Rooted in the Latin word regula — meaning trellis — a Rule of Life is less about restriction or checkboxes and more about support for optimal growth. It’s a grace-filled framework that helps your soul, like a plant, grow in the direction it naturally longs to go. Think of it as spiritual essentialism: creating sacred space for what matters most … while gently pruning the rest like a good gardener. 

Drawing inspiration from St. Benedict’s 6th century rhythm of prayer, work, and rest, we explore how a Rule of Life brings both focus and freedom. This isn’t about hustle. It’s about crafting rhythms that align with your identity and purpose in Christ. What holy habits help you flourish? What might you gently release? If you’ve been overwhelmed by your own (or others’) spiritual expectations, this meditative, spoken-word episode reaches into your spirit and invites you to trade obligation for intimacy. 

Reflection Questions:

• What’s one holy habit I want to reclaim or lean into this week?
• What’s one thing I need to let go of — not because it’s “bad,” but because it’s not helping me become who I truly am?

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Welcome to Today’s Kus Word — where life coaching meets spiritual formation! Join musician, life coach, and spiritual formation prof Michele Kus, as she serves up short, powerful teachings, immersive meditations, bold declarations, and holy f(reedom)-bombs that are based solidly in scripture, grace theology, and positive psychology. Whether you’re seeking calm, clarity, courage, growth, deeper self-awareness, or just a fresh Kingdom perspective, throw on your headphones every Monday through Friday and tune into your next breakthrough. #TodaysKusWord

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Episode Transcript

Michele (00:15):
A Rule of Life isn't a list of religious chores.
It's a rhythm of grace.
When you hear the phrase Ruleof Life, what comes to mind?
For some of us it sounds like astrict schedule or a spiritual
to-do list, but that's actuallynot where the term comes from.

(00:38):
The phrase Rule of Life comesfrom the Latin word regula, and
it doesn't mean rule like acommand.
It actually means somethingmore like a trellis, the kind of
structure you'd use in a gardento support a growing vine.
That's what a Rule of Life ismeant to be.
Not a set of restrictions, buta supportive framework for your

(01:03):
soul, something that helps yougrow in the right direction.
The idea goes back to the 6thcentury when St Benedict of
Nursia wrote the Rule of StBenedict, a rhythm of daily
prayer, work, rest and community.
His rule wasn't about legalism.
It was about ordering lifearound what mattered most and

(01:26):
doing it in a way that broughtbalance, presence and peace.
And that's still the heart of aRule of Life today.
If you've ever readEssentialism by Greg McKeown,

you know the idea (01:41):
Cut the clutter, get clear, focus on
what really matters.
A Rule of Life is like thespiritual version of
essentialism.
It's a gentle rhythm of holyhabits, spiritual practices,
life-giving rhythms andintentional yeses that help you
live from your deepest identityin Christ.

(02:03):
It's just as much about whatyou let go of as what you choose
to hold on to.
It's not about performance,it's about alignment.
It's not about doing more.
It's about doing what matterswith God, in partnership with
Him.

(02:26):
Here are two reflectionquestions to consider this week.
What's one holy habit I want toreclaim or lean into this week?
What's one thing I need to letgo of, not because it's bad, but
because it's not helping mebecome who I truly am?
Let's close in prayer.

(02:48):
Glorious Father, thank you thatyou are not a taskmaster.
You're never measuring my worthin checkboxes.
You're inviting me to a life ofrhythm, grace, and rest.
Help me craft a way of lifethat makes space for you, not

(03:10):
just in the quiet moments, butin every breath.
Show me what to keep, show mewhat to release, and help me
live from union, not obligation.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Have a wonderful day and go inpeace.