Routine: Ruin or Reward?

Last night our small group wrapped up the last chapter of "Radical" by David Platt.  It's a very challenging book...in a good way...and it left me with lots and lots of thoughts.  I wanted to blog about it, but didn't know where to start because there are so many excellent lessons and topics and I learned so much.  Today I just decided to blog about what's on my mind today.  Genius, right?  ;)

The final chapter is a challenge to participate in the "Radical Experiment" which is a 1-year commitment to CHANGE.  Platt "dares" his readers to do the following over the next year:

1.  pray for the entire world
2.  read through the entire Word
3.  sacrifice your money for a specific purpose
4.  spend your time in another context
5.  commit your life to a multiplying community

While these 5 things are definitely challenging, I am encouraged because they are possible.  Getting started is the hardest part for me.

Reading this book really showed me there are a lot of areas in my life that I want to change and improve...and most of them I didn't even realize.  Something that God has really put on my heart in the past couple of days is the fact that my routines shape me more than I even know.

Of course, some routines are GOOD, and some not-so-much.

Examples of good routines:  exercise, daily devotional/quiet time with God, remembering friends' birthdays (I am horrible at this), giving, friendships, drinking water, etc.

However, I think I fall into several routines that allow me to "check-out" of life.  I go through the motions way more than I would like, and it's a hard thing to change when it's just a habit.  Here is one example of a "not-so-good" routine I participate in.  I am embarrassed to admit the following, but I think saying in publicly and being vulnerable about it might help jump-start my change:  With few exceptions, Mikey and I eat dinner sitting on the couch and watching TV for hours every night of the week.  It's our way of unwinding and relaxing, and it's great.  I enjoy the time, and after a day of work and concentrating, it is sometimes just what I need.  Unfortunately, I have fallen into a routine where I don't even realize that I am doing this.  It's never a question of "should we watch" it's just the first thing that happens when we walk into the room...power ON.  It's automatic...and hours will literally go by without my noticing.  Is anything on TV really that exciting that I am glued to it for most of my non-working waking hours?  NO!  When I sit back and think about it, I realize there is so much more I could be doing with that time.  So many things that MATTER.  I am definitely not saying there is anything wrong with watching TV, and we are not doing anything drastic like shutting off our cable (wink, wink)...but we are taking a step.  We are committing to change.  After reflecting on #1 and #2 above, we decided to pick a day and leave the power off on our technology.  No internet shopping, no DVR, nothing but each other and the chance to be creative!  Maybe even the chance to make a difference! 

My hope is to take this time that is dedicated to a "not-so-good" routine, and transform it into a new routine:  one of prayer, reflection, volunteering...maybe all 3...I don't know...I don't know if I'll have enough time.  :)

I realize that after reading a book called "Radical" that turning the TV off for one day a week seems "weak-sauce" (I took that saying from Katie) but I think it's something.  And...this is just part of the puzzle.  We are committing to the 5 steps above, and we see big things for our future.  It is so exciting to think of what we might be a year from now. 

So...in conclusion:  Routines can cause both ruin and reward...but I am committing to working hard to get more reward out of my routines.  :)