Falling into a Routine

I've been seriously struggling with the bible now for probably around 5 years now and am still woefully lacking in this elusive "routine" that everyone seems to be scared of.  Some might call it a "rut" or some just say "I'm not growing" but its basically that their life has hit a plateau, neither moving up or moving down.

I've heard it said in countless sermons, sunday schools, and bible studies that we need to avoid falling into the same old routine of reading the bible just to finish it or just praying at dinner time without thinking much of it. But this never made sense to me. After all, aren't we all called to regularly read God's word and to pray?  Aren't we supposed to fall into a routine of spending time with God?

This is what I'm thinking: If we actually have a routine of reading God's word, we would not fall into this fake, made-up trap of feeling like we are on a plateau.  If you are spending time in prayer and in the Word, then how are you not moved by Holy Spirit? How are you staying still?  Are there not enough verbs in your translation of the bible?

Honestly though, I have only ever heard of a routine in the hypothetical.  It is as if saying that it were possible to read God's Word and not be moved or transformed in one way or another, atheist or not. Whether or not someone has ever experienced this type of routine is still a mystery to me and I would love to talk to this person.  After all, I have a hard enough time trying to develop a routine of spending time with God.

Which brings me to the reason why I wanted to put this particular topic out there.  I think a lot of us struggle already with being consistent with our time with God.  Lately, I have heard people telling me that they are not growing or feel lost in their "daily routine" of devotions.  Then the question becomes, "well, when do you do your devotions?"..."umm...three or four times a week."...."(-_-)".

Anyway, onward toward that routine of growth!