“A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” -Proverbs 16:9

Twenty years ago, my father needed a stint placed in one of the arteries of his heart. My father was thin, and so am I. The fact that his heart needed attention got my attention, so I decided immediately to get my heart, and general health, in better shape. I started a jogging routine every other morning, early - about 6 a.m. for 30 minutes. My goal has been to get my heart rate to at least 120 beats per minute and keep it there for the entire 30 minutes. I’ve always managed to run about 2-1Ž2 to 3 miles within this time period.

One morning last December, I knew I had to get up especially early to have breakfast with a friend. I didn’t want to awaken at 5:30 a.m., so I decided to jog the night before. I was in for a treat. It was Christmas time, so when I began my run at 9:30 p.m., many of the homes I usually ran past in the rising morning sun had their Christmas lights on!

It was beautiful! What a delightful surprise…house after house after house…lights, lights, lights…in all different arrangements…some all white, others sparkling with many colors. I saw inflated Santas, reindeer, elves. I saw twinkling palm trees, Christmas trains, Christmas packages, and Nativity scenes. I had blast!

I found my thoughts and eyes dancing, and before I knew it, my run was over - the time had gone by much faster than usual because my soul had been absorbed in the splendor of all the magnificent Christmas lights.

I confess that I do have the habit of falling into routine. I think most people would say that I’m fairly predicable…probably all of us are in some way or another. However, there’s tremendous joy in discovering new pleasures - sometimes even in old places.

Our glorious and gracious God created the Universe. We live within a single solar system of that Universe, on a planet that fortunately has various levels of predictability - “routine” aspects - that we all depend upon. For instance, the sun comes up every morning and sets every evening. Yet, God in His wonderful plan for you and me provides variations on this theme…through the seasons of the year…the rising and setting of the moon…various weather conditions…etc. Variables within predictability - God is good, God is wise, and YOU are made in His image! How exciting!

What routines have you established in your life? You depend on these routines; we all do. We each have an individual way of approaching our activities, our relationships, and our acquisition of knowledge. This is what makes you unique from all of the other millions of persons in the world around you. But, what surprises, what new discoveries await you by altering your routine just a bit - or even a lot? How could you let the Lord direct your steps more today?

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Have you ever thought about varying your routine to embrace new and exciting possibilities? Are you willing even to think about it? To try it?

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Prayer:

Lord, thank You. Thank You for all that you’ve created that I can predictably depend upon. Thank You, too, for all of the wonderful variables. You are glorious in all ways. I praise You. Amen.