Spiritual Disciplines (2 of 7) :: Routine
December 2, 2009 by Ben Griffin
Listen close. Doing this may be one of the most impactful decisions you may ever make. It’s simple yet amazingly hard for so many. Here it is.
Plan a realistic routine and then do it!
This is one of the most important Spiritual disciplines you could ever employ. Let’s break it down.
PLAN: Stop, sit down and make a plan. What book of the Bible, how much to read, a time to pray, when will it be and how will you be accountable to it? Let the “present you” make the decisions now so that the “future you” is set up to succeed.
REALISTIC: Most of us will not read 10 chapters a day for 60 days straight. It’s like going through the all you can eat line and realizing your eyes are bigger than your stomach. Be realistic and then you can be consistent.
ROUTINE: Identify a time and a place. This isn’t complicated. Simple decisions like doing my study at 6:30 on the couch every morning or around the breakfast table or during my 20 minute lunch can be game changers. Routine means scheduling time on and time off. Take a breather on Saturday and feel the joy for it again on Monday.
DO: It’s like the workout routine or gym membership that is always planned but never seems to materialize. This is simple. Plan a realistic routine and then do it!
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1
Go big or go home. After my loving wife reminded me of my failing proposal to read 10 chapters a day till I finished the Bible and then brought this post to my attention I came to this conclusion. She asked me “why would you make a unrealistic goal?” and I realized that I would rather shoot for the stars and miss than aim low and miss. For example, I am in college and I shoot for an A in every class. It may not be possible through my entire education, however, I would rather receive a C than shoot for a C and receive an F. Besides due to my absurd goal I have been able to read through Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers this month. Now, On to Deuteronomy.
@Dustin Barnes – Sounds like you’ve also stumbled into an up and coming Spiritual Discipline, “Don’t go it alone” which sometimes translates into “Listen to your wife!”