“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” — Luke 5:16

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“Omaha! Omaha!”

These famous words from legendary NFL quarterback Peyton Manning became legendary in their own right as part of the pre-snap cadence of the two-time Super Bowl champ. They inspired advertisement deals and even the name of Manning’s own media company. Thousands of kids who dreamed of one day being in the NFL imitated Manning’s famous cadence in their backyards.

A cadence — a series of verbal cues from the quarterback to his teammates — indicates to them when the ball is to be snapped and, sometimes, even what the play is. Quarterback cadences can do tremendous damage to a defense when utilized effectively; they can throw defenses into confusion, delay their reaction times, and stifle their ability to make their own pre-snap adjustments. And cadences, at their most effective, induce defensive players to jump offside.

I wonder, do you recognize how much damage the lack of a consistent cadence is doing to your walk with Christ?

A synonym for the word “cadence” is “rhythm.” Jesus had rhythms, or cadences, in His life that we would be wise to emulate. According to Luke 5:16, Jesus “often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Just one chapter earlier, we’re told that “he went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom” (Luke 4:16). As was His custom.

Jesus, of course, is God Himself as a member of the Trinity. So why did He pray? Well, that question could take us down many rabbit holes. But one of the reasons He had such cadences — of regular individual devotional time as well as regular experiences of corporate worship — was for our benefit. See, He was setting an example for His people to follow, not just for those in the first century but for you and me today.

We too are to build into our lives regular cadences of personal time spent with God: praying to Him, reading His words in the Bible, spending time simply abiding in His presence. How are we supposed to get to know Him and love Him if we consistently neglect time with Him? I’ve found that my cadence of personal devotion to God is best done in the morning, before I start my day. My mind is clear and my surroundings are quiet. Mornings work for me, but as you find your cadence, make sure you do what works for you.

In the same way, we are also called to build a regular cadence of corporate worship together with other followers of Christ. This of course is accomplished through the local church. Jesus customarily went to the synagogue (what we call church) on the Sabbath day to spend time with other believers and worship God together. This type of church attendance should be a regular cadence in our lives too. Jesus died to save all of His people, not just you, and we are robbing ourselves of the fullness of the Gospel if we neglect gathering with other believers.

Like a quarterback getting the defense to jump offside when he switches up his cadence, so you too are prone to suffer spiritually if you don’t have consistent cadences of personal and corporate worship. Your devotion to God will weaken and your obedience to Him will be weaker still.

Don’t do that to yourself! Find your spiritual cadence, and then experience the fullness of joy that God promises in His presence.

— Kevin Mercer

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