I hate doing the same things the same way all the time. To me, “routine” is just a “rut” with added letters to disguise it. The older I get, however, the more value I find in repetition and consistency.
Sunday, as I watched the FSU Women’s softball team on TV, one of the commentators, Michele Smith, a former Olympic pitcher, mentioned how every time she practiced she did things the exact same way. She extolled the virtues of a “routine.” She mentioned that she did this so that in whatever situation she might be pitching, she would always feel comfortable. Pitching was as natural to her as walking. Athletes develop routines so that their activity becomes so natural that they do not need to give it conscious thought. When pressure is on and fans are screaming and the game is on the line, they revert to what comes naturally and excel in those clutch situations.
We must beware of two caveats, however. First, the athlete has to engage the routine, not just go through the motions. Their “heart” has to be “in it.” Secondly, the practice routine must involve doing the activity the proper way or else bad habits are programmed in place of the right way.
We succeed in whatever we choose to do when we INTENTIONALLY pursue the right goal in the right manner. The writer of the book of Hebrews spends a good deal of the 5th chapter writing about spiritual maturity. He identifies the spiritually mature person as one who has “their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5:14
What is your constant practice? How do you “train” for spiritual success? Bible reading and study, prayer, worship, fellowship with other believers, all when done intentionally, consistently, properly, and with our whole hearts provide a good routine that will help us act not naturally, but Godly when the pressure is on.