So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
– Psalm 90:12
It’s nature to settle into a routine. It helps us to make plans, to be organized, to limit surprises while making our day or week more efficient. Our bodies naturally like a routine. From going to bed at the same time, to getting up, to when we have our meals, physically we operate better on a routine. We can also see the value of a routine when it comes to the spiritual aspect of our lives. Our faith becomes strong when we involve a routine of prayer, Bible study, discipleship and church. A routine even benefits us in an emotional aspect. Regularly scheduled quiet times and times when you can get away are important in keeping our mental health healthy.
But what happens when we become a slave to our routines? The Israelites faced a similar issue in how they treated the Sabbath. What was given by God to be a time of rest, a time to focus on God devolved into a mandatory observance. To violate the Sabbath resulted in being cut off from their people or even worse, death. What God meant for their benefit, the Israelites perverted into a system of punishable requirements. As a result, they became slaves to this requirement, fearing retribution if they happened to violate it.
It would seem there are some relevant similarities between what happened with the Israelis and the Sabbath and what potentially can happen with our routines. If we do not approach our routines with the understanding that, though they can help us have organization and efficiency, they can and should be set aside for numerous reasons. It is quite easy to become enslaved to a routine, prioritizing it above everything else. Another danger occurs when we allow a routine to become a distraction.
On the other hand, not having any kind of routine or structure in one’s life creates an atmosphere where nothing seems to ever get done or in many cases, started. We must approach routines in our life following the words of Jesus pertaining to the Sabbath. In Mark chapter 2, Jesus lays it out quite simply and to the point. Verses 27 and 28 says, The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.
Have routines in your life, even the positive one become an idol? Are they placed in a position of unyielding importance? Do they keep you from the spontaneous moments or divine opportunities that seem to always sneak up on us? Bottom line, is Jesus the Lord even over your routines?
The enemy never sleeps. He is predictable in his tactics if we pay attention and rely on discernment from the Holy Spirit. He will use anything at any time to distract us and try to separate us from God. His strategy is not limited to the obvious things like temptation, pride, malice, lust and the multitude of overt sins. He is cunning enough to understand we trap ourselves in those things that are there to actually help us. These are the sneaky things we allow in, pursue and even embrace.
It takes a conscious awareness on our part while the Holy Spirit is imparting wisdom into our lives to guard against becoming enslaved to our routines.
Lord teach us to number our days, to gain an appreciation of the importance and beauty of each new day, so that we don’t miss any opportunities to draw closer to you and as a result gain a heart of wisdom.
Jason Metz, lead Pastor
