Hold Fast to a Holy Routine

There is great strength in a daily routine. It steadies the soul like a ship’s anchor, giving stability even when the seas of life grow rough. The Church has long known this wisdom—think of monks and nuns who rise, pray, work, and rest according to set hours. Their rhythm is not a prison but a path to freedom, because it keeps them close to God through the ordinary flow of each day.

Only Deviate at God’s Call

Not every tug on the heart is from God. Some pulls are just distractions. The wisdom of the saints reminds us: wait for clarity, listen for peace. St. Ignatius of Loyola called this “discernment of spirits.” A sudden urge might be nothing more than restlessness, but a true call from God carries a quiet certainty that cannot be ignored.

(Side note: the danger is moving too quickly on every impulse. The safeguard is to trust the routine until God’s voice is unmistakable.)

Move Swiftly Once Called

When the Lord does speak, respond quickly. In Scripture we see Mary, who “went in haste” to visit Elizabeth after the angel’s message. Her speed was not from panic but from joy and faith. The saints also show this: St. Francis dropped everything to follow Christ’s call, not after weeks of debate, but at once. God’s invitations often make little sense at first, but His grace always follows obedience.

(Side note: many of us hesitate, even when the sign is clear. True trust is shown not in waiting, but in moving when God has already spoken.)

Return to Your Rhythm

God’s special calls are not meant to replace our daily pattern of life. After the work is done—whether it lasted an hour, a week, or a season—we are called back into the steady rhythm. Christ Himself shows this: after healing, teaching, or praying all night, He often returned to the simple rhythm of walking with His disciples, eating with them, and moving on to the next village.

(Side note: the mistake comes when we try to hold onto every special call forever, layering them into daily life until it becomes overwhelming. Returning to the routine protects peace and faithfulness.)

The Beauty of Balance

This simple structure—hold fast, move only when called, respond quickly, return to routine—creates a balance of steadiness and flexibility. It honors the gift of ordinary life, while leaving space for God’s extraordinary interruptions.

St. Benedict summed it up in his rule for monastic life: “Prefer nothing whatever to Christ.” The routine holds us steady in Him, and His call reminds us that He is always free to lead us beyond ourselves.

In this balance, life becomes lighter, more joyful. We no longer fear doing it wrong. We simply keep walking in rhythm, eyes open for God’s voice, ready to move when He calls.