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Changes…. some don’t like them, and some take them as they come. Routines are comfortable and keep things lined up with our schedules.
I’m a middle of the road kind of person on this. It depends on what the change is on how I will handle it. I think most of you may think the same about yourselves as well.
Routines are great and we all have them. We need a little structure in our day.
Over the years we have given our kids different chores and lists of things to do and recently we had a family discussion about their responsibilities because it’s probably time for a change.
The last time we set up their chore lists was about 3 or 4 years ago so since they are now teenagers it’s time for change.
My oldest was ok with change, middle child doesn't really like change, and my youngest can go either way, I think. They did let us know all about how they felt about the changes we were talking about.
I was thinking about this conversation, and it reminded me that we can get in a routine of doing the same things repeatedly and don’t think about looking at it and making changes. We can become so much part of our routine that we don’t see the changes needing to be made.
Like why use the same mop for years, (hopefully not) because that’s the one you have always used even though it is gross? You need a new one because you aren’t sure if it is really cleaning the floors and if the job isn't getting done the way it should then change needs to happen.
I’m sure none of you are doing that, it is just an example of how when we don’t update our routines, we may not feel like we are no longer getting all we need to get out of the things we are doing.
We can get stuck in this in our Christian walk as well. It can all just become routine, and we go about doing things the same way all the time.
Ephesians 4:22-23 - Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
With this scripture I am looking at more of the "former way of life" and "let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes" part.... when we are evaluating things these come to mind.
What have I been doing that I need to work on? What change and what kind of renewing of the Spirit do I need? I want to see my thoughts and attitude change for the goodness of God.
An article I read said, “Properly planned routines are habits of life that are rooted in meaning and purpose – disciplines that keep us moving in the direction that has been determined to be best. Ruts on the other hand come from routines that have grown stale and empty. They may have started as good things, but they have become roadblocks to growth.”
Routines in our walk are necessary and when we are moving forward in them then I think we can continue. It is when we are in a rut that we need to re-evaluate.
Colossians 3:23
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
This means in all that you do find God in it and look and make sure you are pleasing Him and not those around you.
I think that if you are looking to God is all things big and small you will be doing a great job and those around you will take notice.
I was probably getting a bit into a rut in my devotional readings at the end of last year and getting kind of bored because I would focus on the same topics, I was going through a season where those topics really helped but I was feeling at the end of that season and needing something new. I felt prompted to do something different and something I had never done before…. a year long study in the Bible.
But to be honest and it’s a bit embarrassing as a long time Christian that I wasn’t even sure where to start with that. I searched different things and then God led me to a study that has just opened my eyes to His Word, and I am now more equipped and ready to see what comes next as this year and this study is coming to an end.
We need those changes to renew us so we don’t miss out on what God is teaching us.
The Bible tells us that our habits within our everyday lives take work and that it is worthwhile to put our efforts into them.
So true and I want to make that effort. I want continual growth no matter the pace.
Let’s evaluate what we are doing and not get stuck in our routines and really focus on being intentional in our routines.