Routines

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

Phew! The election is over, Easter Sunday is past, the film makers are gone, and life at SPPC is settling back into routine. Worship on Sunday morning, Bible Study on Wednesday, choir practice on Thursdays, annual cleaning bee on Friday. How boring is that? 

Actually, according to various sites that popped up on my Google feed, routine is a prime element of a productive and satisfying life. One site recommended following these three routines every morning, before breakfast.

1. Make you bed. No, that's not your mother's voice ringing through your subconscious. According to some behavioural scientists, making your bed starts your day with a sense of accomplishment and well-being. A task completed. Not only that, a made up bed is tidy, and most humans function better in an uncluttered setting. So, less than three minutes in the morning to straighten your bedcovers and you've set a positive tone for the rest of the day.
2. Drink a Glass of Water. In other words, break your nighttime fast with a clean rinse containing no chemicals, no stimulants and no artificial ingredients. Save the caffeine for later in the day. A gentle awakening of your body's digestive system bodes well for good health.
3. Go for a walk. Fresh air, natural light and this most basic form of exercise set you up for mental alertness, a positive attitude and a gentle workout for your heart and lungs. 

So, according to the great "they" just taking twenty or thirty minutes (depending on the length of your walk) at the start of the day sets you up to becoming "healthy, wealthy and wise."

However, the above routine seems to overlook the spiritual side of being human. What if we used those twenty to thirty minutes to incorporate time with God? Here are some suggestions.

1. Thank God for a night's rest while you make your bed. Checking in with our Heavenly Father tunes our minds to His care.
2. Do a devotional while you drink that glass of water. It will take a little longer but the benefit of prayer and scripture far outweighs the loss of those few extra minutes. If you want some internet suggestions for devotionals and Bible reading plans, check out Linda's post here.
3. Look at the world, while you take your walk, and be grateful. God's creation is so wonderful, so extravagant, so beyond our imagining, it lifts our hearts and renews our spirits. Birdsong,
   
   
   brilliant blossoms, lush grass, towering trees, blue skies or gathering thunderheads, streams, lakes, or dew on a cobweb, all of these illuminate the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 1:19 . Even science agrees that practicing gratitude is a life-changer. As you walk, you might even sing, "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." Singing also has very positive effects on health and happiness, but that's for another blog. 

When we consider "routine", we often think "dull", but every area of our lives can be strengthened with routines. They can save us time, unlock creativity, strengthen healthy habits, reduce stress, and improve mental health. 

When we include time with God in our routine, we follow the example of David,(Psalm 5:3) Daniel,(Daniel 6:10) and Christ, Himself (Luke 4:16) We set ourselves on a daily path that includes God's gifts of joy and strength and comfort and salvation. 

Maybe church on Sunday, Bible study on Wednesday, choir on Thursday . . . is not so dull after all.