Last week Kristin shared a quotation that’s had this former procrastinator wondering ever since: What is an ordered life?
From Oswald Chambers: “Lord, in my consciousness this morning a crowd of little things presses in and I bring them straight to Your presence. In Your wisdom, say, ‚ÄòPeace be still!’ and may my ordered life confess the beauty of Your peace.”
What is an ordered life?
The online dictionary says “ordered” means “a state in which everything is in its correct or appropriate place.”
Our homes can be ordered – not picture perfect but a place for everything and (nearly) everything in its place. Our minds can be ordered – not frantic or scattered, but focused and intentional. Our behavior can be ordered – not stiff or inflexible but thoughtful and kind.
And then there are our days, those units of time that compose our lives. We use calendars, watches, and do lists to help us order our days. All good. But some days are crammed with too much. Some are disrupted by the unexpected. Some seem to fall apart entirely – especially if we have put off something critical and it’s time to pay. Many days like these -plus disordered homes, minds, and behavior – can make us feel like an ordered life is impossible – and that therefore, the beauty of God’s peace is impossible to have.
Our God is bigger and more compassionate than that. He is kinder and more generous than to withhold his beautiful peace from peace-hungry daughters.
I see some helpful points in what Chambers said. He took the demands placed on him straight to the Lord. He asked for God in His wisdom to still him within and essentially to provide the perspective, guidance, and arrangement of duties that he needed.
As I’ve pondered, some things stand out. For me, an ordered life has some constant routines based on God-directed priorities (ex: quiet time, exercise, sleep, etc). Also, for me an ordered life is one submitted moment by moment to the Source of wisdom and peace. An ordered life means I do what needs doing when it needs doing which results in calmness and margin.
Thank you, Kristin, for prompting these thoughts.
Life can be noisy, jumbled, hectic for a while, and still be an ordered life that confesses the beauty of His peace.
What do you think is an ordered life?
Leave a Reply