How to build a spiritual life that actually works

I have to admit that I am not naturally drawn to contemplative Christianity or the rigidity of regular spiritual disciplines. So it was with some surprise that I found myself thoroughly enjoying Emma Timms’ book Faith Habits and How to Form Them (SPCK). And I would thoroughly recommend it – even if, like me, you may feel that this is not an area of Christian faith you would normally explore.

In recent years, terms such as ‘spiritual formation’ and ‘rule of life’ have become increasingly common in church circles, no doubt in part due to the success of John Mark Comer’s Practicing the Way (Waterbrook Press) and initiatives such as 24-7 Prayer’s Lectio 365 app.

But despite the noise, it can be hard for those of us less familiar with more contemplative traditions to fully understand what such practices entail, where they come from and what they can bring to our lives – which is where this book comes in.

Timms’ approach to this subject is refreshingly down-to-earth and accessible. The book opens with a short introduction to her own personal story, which I found to be both inspiring and reassuring. Coming from a charismatic, evangelical church background, her honest charting of her faith journey reassured me that this could be something that I would find applicable to my own life too, rather than an abstract idea that was a million miles from my own church experience.

The book avoids being overly esoteric. Timms has thought carefully about how these practices can help, without glossing over the reality of busyness

The book is split into three sections which all contain a series of short chapters. The first outlines the history of contemplative Christianity, introducing the monks, saints and mystics who have influenced this movement over the course of Church history, from the Desert Fathers to Mother Theresa.

Part two moves into a series of equally short introductions to the many spiritual practices that you might want to explore. These are grouped into daily, weekly, monthly, seasonal and annual, as well as practices for different life stages.

Finally, Timms provides a template for choosing your own set of spiritual practices and establishing a rule of life. She helpfully includes some examples in this section, both for inspiration and guidance.

As a retreat guide, wellness coach and spiritual director, this book reads as it is: a reflection of the hard-won wisdom that Timms has gleaned throughout her own journey towards contemplative Christianity. She is undoubtedly well placed to now offer this wisdom to others.

Her openness about her own struggles – particularly through parenting her four children – also means that the book avoids being overly esoteric or detached. Timms has obviously thought carefully about how these practices can help our spiritual lives, without glossing over the realities of busyness or other challenges. The chapters on adapting spiritual practices for specific situations, such as when carrying caring responsibilities, living with chronic illness or during periods of intense study or work are particularly compassionate and well thought through.

The book packs an awful lot of content into its 171 pages. It is wonderfully easy to read, but my only criticism would be that, in places, I was learning so much that I would have liked more detail. Timms’ own faith journey was particularly fascinating, for example. And the introductions to the monks, saints and mystics, as well as the practices themselves, sometimes served only to whet my appetite and leave me wanting more.

That aside, reading this book has been the encouragement I’ve needed to look afresh at my own spiritual life. Whatever your church background, life stage, circumstances or gender, if you’re wanting to go deeper with Jesus and looking for something to guide you along the way, I’d highly recommend this helpful and enjoyable book.

Faith Habits and How To Form Them by Emma Timms (SPCK) is available now