In reading the first chapter of Genesis, we can see that our Creator is a God of order.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
The Bible goes on to tell us how God carefully created the world and all that was in it, one day at a time, making sure that everything was created in an orderly fashion — the sun before the plants (because the plants would need the sun, right?) and everything in place before creating man to oversee it all.
There are other places where the Bible shows us that being orderly is important. I believe God entreats us to be orderly for many reasons, one of which is so that we do not become overwhelmed with tasks that were not meant for us to complete.
Anyone else feeling overwhelmed? Anyone else wondering if your priorities are out of order?
Let’s take a closer look at the word “order” today.
If you’re unsure about what it means to do a word study, or why I do them, take a peek back at A is for Attentive. I explain more there.
Today’s word for study is ORDER
According to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary:
Order –noun: regular disposition or methodical arrangement of things; proper state; established mode of proceeding; settled mode of operation
Key Word Definitions
Regular — steady or uniform in course or practice; initiated in accordance to established discipline
Methodical – according to natural or convenient order
Proper — naturally or essentially belonging to a person or a thing; particularly suited to; one’s own
Established — set; fixed firmly; ordained; confirmed
Order Defined in My Own Words
To have order is to live in a way where discipline is in place so that the things that are accomplished are ordained and confirmed.
Biblical References
For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ (Luke 14:28-30)
But all things should be done decently and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:40)
The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way. (Psalm 37:23)
My Thoughts
A life out of order is chaotic and stressful. I am discovering the hard way that when I do not “first sit down and count the cost” I will suffer the consequences of a life out of order.
How does this happen?
For me it happens when I do not pray first, before taking on new responsibilities. It’s hard to say no when great opportunities come along. No one wants to feel like they are missing out on something wonderful. But I am learning that the only things that are truly wonderful are those which God has ordained for me. Otherwise the wonderful quickly becomes the inconvenient, stress-inducing, time-sucking “one more thing” I have to do today.
Chaos ensues because then I don’t have time for those things (or people) that God has ordained for my life.
God has been really dealing with me in this area. I am in a position now where I feel I must adhere to Matthew 5:37 and let my “yes be yes,” but along the way, I am learning some valuable (though really tough) lessons. The Lord disciplines those He loves though, and I will take my lessons any way He wishes to give them. I am praying for wisdom for how and when to let go of some responsibilities.
The bottom line is this, friends — our priorities must be in order, so that when we are tempted to add one more thing to our plates, we are only doing so after prayer, counting the cost, and considering that what God has ordained for us is truly the best. As my wise husband often says, every time you say yes to something, you are saying no to many other things.
Make sure you are never saying no to the things that really matter, by saying yes to those things, that although wonderful for someone, may not be God’s best for you.