Rule of life vs. being desultory

"If a Christian desires to practice true godliness faithfully and attain his real purpose in life, he should use the means referred to in a disciplined way. It is necessary for him to observe a good, established, firm, and regular rule of life. He must not live carelessly and haphazardly but follow this standard (Gal. 6:16). God's blessings are promised only to those who order their lives well (Ps. 50:23)." - Willem Teellinck, The Path of True Godliness

A regular rule of life. This is something implied in Jesus' teaching and throughout the Bible but not directly stated and outlined.

We already have a regular rule of life...by default. Coffee, for instance, would be a part of many people's regular rule of life. I'm not putting it down, just using it as an example that can be related to. A favorite television program might be a part of someone's regular rule of life. Appointment TV, as they say. Something you remember to watch at a specific time of your day. Even brushing our teeth in the morning is a part of a regular rule of life.

So we know what a rule of life is.

Really, though, regarding a rule of life and the need for one has much to do with doing battle with desultory behavior. Reading projects that never get finished. Health projects that die quick deaths. If there isn't a strong worldly/flesh motive (food, sex, money, distraction) we engage in desultory behavior regarding it.

Desultory: lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm; (of conversation or speech) going constantly from one subject to another in a halfhearted way; unfocused; occurring randomly or occasionally.

We don't have to be robots; but being moderately non-desultory would be a step in the right direction.

"It is necessary [...] to observe a good, established, firm, and regular rule of life."

So many - if not most - people do do that. It just doesn't involved prayer, or watchfulness, or biblical meditation, or loving our enemy, etc.

It involves coffee, and brushing our teeth, and getting our vehicle fueled up so we don't get stranded on our way to work.