Soulful Summer Reset: A 7-Day Devotional to Renew Your Mind, Body, and SpiritSample

Day 5: Realign Your Routine

When you build your daily routine around your relationship with God, everything else naturally falls into place. I begin each day with prayer and Bible study because it truly sets the tone for everything that I will later encounter that day. I’ve learned that whenever I skip this time or let distractions steal it away, my day rarely goes well. Why? Because I didn’t invite God into my plans.

It’s so important that we “check in” daily with God. He knows what’s ahead, the obstacles we can’t see, and the blessings waiting for us when we walk closely with Him. One of the biggest reasons people don’t put God first is due to poor time management. We always find time for the people and things we care about most. You may not mean to put God on the back burner, but if you’re not intentional, that’s exactly where He’ll stay.

What I’m about to suggest may sound like overkill to some, but I’m a huge fan of segmenting my day. A rock-solid routine reduces distractions and helps you focus on what matters. As someone who works a 9-to-5 and leads an active life, I have to be intentional about maximizing my time.

Here’s how I break my day into meaningful sections:

Start

The first two or three hours of my day are my “check-in” phase. My check-ins are my sacred time to pray, study Scripture, and invite God into every area of my life. Then I move into exercise and plan my tasks for the day.

Drive

This phase is all about execution. I tackle the tasks I mapped out earlier, staying focused and productive.

Thrive

I believe it’s vital to dedicate at least one hour each day to learning something new. This might be studying Spanish, reading a book, catching up on a podcast, watching a tutorial, or progressing through an online course.

Arrive

This is when I kick back and relax. In the summer, I love taking evening walks by the beach. There’s something truly special about watching the sunset over the lake. It’s a moment to pause, thank God for His goodness, and have one more heart-to-heart with Him before bed. I always end my day by writing in my gratitude journal.

If you find yourself feeling unfulfilled or scattered, I encourage you to take an honest look at your routine. Simplify your days around what truly matters. Let your relationship with God guide every moment of your life. When you put Him first, everything else finds its rightful place.

Reflection:

What is one daily habit that I can shift to put God first?