One of the privileges that comes with job that I do is that I am able to travel to work on some days in a small jet. It’s not as grand as it might sound, we’re not talking about a fancy private jet, we are talking about a small passenger plane carrying around a hundred people. 
I’m actually writing these words from inside that jet on a glorious summer’s day. The "fasten seatbelt sign" is turned off so I’m cleared to type.
We’ve just left a small airport in the south of England, and I’m on my way home. The flight is quite quiet today so I’ve been able to secure my favourite seat – a window seat a little way behind the wings. I love looking out of the window as we travel up the country.
In the winter it’s all of the lights; today it’s a fabulous view of classical English fields in yellow, golden browns and a multitude of greens.
I’ve travelled this route so many times that I know roughly where we are; at the moment we are passing over Stoke noticeable by its football stadium.
In no time at all, if we follow the normal route, we’ll be turning left over the Lancashire moors making our way directly over our house; getting lower all the time until we land.
This evening there is barely a cloud in the sky, where they do linger the shadows beneath make patterns on the ground.
I’ve travelled this way many, many times before; it’s become a comfortable routine. I know roughly what is going to happen from the time I walk through the small door with “Departures” on a sign above through until I get into my car at the other end. The rhythm of it is the same every time. Actually I’ve heard the safety briefing so many times that I have to remind myself that it’s going on and not to talk.
I know other people for whom a flight is a scary prospect because they have never done it before, it fells strange and uncomfortable.
There are times in life when it’s good to dwell in the routines and others when the routine is that last place we should dwell. Today I’m enjoying the routine.
Both of these quotes are true:
The secret of love is seeking variety in your life together, and never letting routine chords dull the melody of your romance
The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine.
There is a sense in which we need a framework of routine without the bondage of it.
I’ve used this quote before, but I make no apologies for it:
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
Graham Chastney 