God on the Go: New Routines

Today we’re talking about the importance of routines and habits, and how changes to these can sometimes be challenging. Jesus’s life is a great example though of embracing change and new experiences. Let’s find out more!

What’s New!

Monday Bible Story:

• When Jesus was on earth, He really changed up the habits and routines people had. He would travel from town to town. He’d go out on a boat. He would teach from a hillside. He was showing people that trying new things, doing things in a new way can be awesome!

Tuesday Key Verse:

• Psalm 149:1 Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song.

Wednesday Prayer:

• Dear, God, be with me when I am learning new habits and ways of doing things. Help me not get frustrated. Help me be excited! In Jesus’s name, amen.

Thursday Question:

• What is a new habit or a new routine you would like to try?

Friday Fun Fact:

• Q: How long does it take to build a new habit or to get used to a new routine?
• A: Scientists now say it takes 66 days, so be patient with yourself!

 Special thanks to George Fox University for sponsoring the God on the Go Podcast!

Show Notes:

To get this week’s episode and daily text prompts, text the word Go to 89419. If you are in Canada, text GodOntheGo to 866-729-1065

Transcription:

This is God on the Go from the Purposely Podcast Network and I’m Julie Lyles Carr. For each week, I want to help you make the minutes matter. I like doing certain things in a certain way at a certain time of day. Like when I wake up in the morning, I like first thing to look at my daily Bible reading on an app I have on my phone, and then I like to wash my face and brush my teeth, and then in the quiet I like to get my coffee and catch up on a little reading, and then I let my dog out, and I take my time getting ready. That’s my routine. The way I do things. I have a habit of doing things this way in the morning. A routine or a habit is something that you do regularly, that you usually do in the same way, at the same time, in the same place. But sometimes my routine, my habits have to change and can I just be honest? It can make me feel a little cranky.

New routines and having to learn new habits can make your brain hurt. Am I right? You were probably used to doing things in a certain way last year, but when you start a new school year or a new activity, you have to learn a new way of doing things. Sometimes it can feel like fun, like an adventure, and other times it can make you feel a little frustrated, or like you miss the old way of doing things. There’s a verse from the Bible I like to think about when I am changing up my routine or when I’m learning a new habit. It’s from the Book of Psalms 149:1, and it says,

Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song.

It sounds like to me that God likes it when we try out something new, when we praise him with something new. In Jesus’s time on earth, he was doing all kinds of new things, things that changed up the habits and routines people were used to. He went to new towns and places all the time. He taught people while he was in a boat and they were sitting on the beach. He taught people after he’d hiked up a hillside. He showed people a new way of looking at scripture. He did all kinds of new things and guess what? There were people who did not like the new routines and habits He was showing them they wanted things the way they were. They didn’t want to have to change anything, but there were other people who wanted to go on these new adventures with Jesus. Sure, it was sometimes scary and sometimes it was frustrating or made them feel a little cranky, because let’s face it, sometimes it feels easier to do things the old way, the way you were used to. But how cool is it that God makes changes fun, interesting. Just about the time you probably got used to your summer routine, here it comes, the fall season. It changes things up. You have to change up what you wear as the days get a little chillier, you might change up what foods you like to eat when the weather cools down, the days get a little shorter so you get some new routines and habits around that, and when you finally get used to the fall and the winter days, here comes God again, bringing in spring and you start with a different set of routines and habits. Anytime you step into a new routine or habit, there is a whole bunch of exciting stuff to experience. If you are having to get used to a new routine right now, it’s okay for it to feel a little scary, or for it to make you a little cranky, or to feel a little overwhelmed. That’s normal.

It said that it takes about 66 days to have a new routine or habit feel more comfortable. 66 days. That’s a little over two months. When you’re patient with yourself and with your new routine, it makes it easier to get excited about what God is doing in this new season of your life and to get curious about what he’s going to do next.

Thank you for making God on the go part of your new routine. I’d love for you to text me. Text the word go, that’s GO to 89419 and I’ll share with you some special surprises and extra tools to go with each episode. Things you can build into your new routine as you make the minutes matter. God on the Go is sponsored by George Fox University, where each student will be known personally, academically and spiritually. I’ll see you next week.