On average, it takes about 40 days for a new routine to be set. Some studies show that habits can take anywhere from 18-254 days to develop. As believers, we can look at these two terms—routine and habit—and look specifically at areas of our lives that we define as habitual or routine for us. Ever since I could remember, my mom had my siblings and I wake up every Sunday and attend our weekly church service. It didn’t matter if we were too tired, or even properly dressed—I knew every Sunday at 10 a.m. that I should be in somebody’s church service! As I got older and began making my own adult choices, it hit me that I didn’t even realize how much it had become a routine for me to go to church every Sunday, even when my mom couldn’t go. 

As I began working in ministry, I then realized how much of a routine it was for me to grab my Bible to study and sermon prep for our Sunday services back-to-back.

Isn’t it funny how at times we don’t even realize how much of a routine we have made our walks with Christ?

We get so used to “going” to church week after week, that we forget about BEING the church.

We get so used to a routine Bible study or having our Bibles out for that aesthetic photo that we forget to really embrace that we get to spend time with our Creator.

I like to use this phrase, “Oh how quickly we forget.” 

One of my favorite parts of the Bible is the New Testament! In the book of Matthew, we begin to read about the life of Jesus and His ministry while here on earth. In Matthew 14:13-21, we read the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 with His disciples. After that, in verse 22, we read the story of Jesus walking on water. If you read through to Matthew chapter 15, you’ll read some more about Jesus healing many people, and then feeding 4,000 in Matthew 15:32. By the time we get to Matthew 16, I personally was just blown away with reading all the things Jesus had done with His disciples! I can’t imagine how thrilled and excited they were to be doing THIS life with THE Jesus Christ Himself … or so you would think. In Matthew 16:5, the disciples were crossing a lake when they realized they didn’t bring any bread for their journey. Almost immediately, they began frantically panicking and arguing with one another because they didn’t have the bread. Jesus recognized what they were arguing about and spoke up.

In Matthew 16:8-11, He says “You have so little faith! Why are you arguing with each other having no bread? Don’t you understand even yet? Don’t you remember the 5,000 I fed with the four loaves and the baskets of leftovers you picked up? Or the 4,000 I fed with seven loaves and the large basket of leftovers you picked up?” I remember reading this for the first time saying, “Wow! How could the disciples forget who they were with?” At this point, I can throw my stones until I realized that the disciples had been with Jesus for what seems like so long, watching Him heal people and rebuke demons; it’s easy to assume that all of these things they witnessed became so routine for them that they forgot how powerful these moments were!

It’s easy for us to sit here and almost make a mockery of the disciples, but let’s flip the script to a more modern-day situation and ask ourselves: have WE made a routine out of our daily tasks with the Lord that we too have forgotten the power and joy that it holds?

One of my favorite pastors and pals of all time is Pastor Chris Durso with Saints Church in New York, and something he has always told his leaders that I now tell mine is that “We don’t have to serve, we GET to serve.” God can use anyone, He can use any THING, including rocks in worship, but every day, He gives us the opportunity for us to do so ourselves. It should always be an honor and privilege to do anything for the Kingdom of God, especially when we realize how fortunate we are to do so.

We don’t have to read our Bible, we GET to read it.

We don’t have to go to church, what a joy it is that we GET to go to church.

We don’t have to pray, but what an honor it is that we GET to have direct access to our Creator where we can do things like talk specifically to Him and not through a middle person!

I encourage you to look at your lives and ask if you have made a routine out of one of the most exciting things we get to do in this life—walking with Jesus. See, because following Jesus and having a personal relationship with Him is far from “boring.” In my own life, I have realized the moment I take my eyes off of Jesus and focus on myself, is when I honestly get tired of myself and find myself in dry seasons. 

How do we make this less of a routine? There’s a lot of different things you can implement. I personally like changing my scenery. Instead of always doing devotions in my room, I go to a coffee shop or sit on a blanket at a park somewhere. You can also do things like change up the way you read your Bible—don’t be afraid to try new things! I love reading commentaries and journaling throughout my quiet time! If you find yourself in a routine of going to church, I encourage you to read articles or informational videos about those in third-world countries who aren’t allowed to publicly worship Jesus or read their Bibles because it is simply not allowed where they are from.

Prayer

God, forgive us for taking our relationship with you, and our time with you for granted. Renew our hearts and minds to be steadfast in your incredible love. Let us experience an unthinkable joy, whenever we step into Your presence Lord, and may we learn to value these moments above anything else. 

for further reflection

• Watch: Student vs. Scavenger by Pastor Chris Durso, Saints Church (NY) 
• Read: Process Spirituality: Being Versus Doing (bit.ly/ps-beingversusdoing)