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Ordering My Life

Habits & Routines

22 Aug

Former procrastinators are you, like me, still pondering the concept of an ordered life?

Oswald Chambers wrote: “May my ordered life confess the beauty of Your peace.”

I long for an ordered life. I’d like to have priority accomplishment and margin in the same day. I want to long for an ordered life not for itself but for being in tune with God and reflecting His glory. Can someone watching me see God’s peace?

It is possible to have a very regimented life that is unbending in its order – no room for interruptions (or interrupters), no room for surprise or delight or extra minutes spent on something fun or abandonment to an unexpected opportunity. I’m not actually interested in that kind of ordered life.

For me an ordered life uses routine to focus regular, appropriate attention on God-given priorities. Priorities are the focus. Routine is a tool to help me carry out the priorities and honor the Lord. Then I experience less frustration and more peace. (Always our greatest peace is found in our relationship with Jesus.)

My friend Megan says, “It’s not HOW MUCH gets done but WHAT gets done.” That’s it.

I tend to run hard and fast doing lots of things so I can cross them off my do list. I can really “produce” – and at the end of the day I have not touched the priorities God has given me. That’s not an ordered life.

My friend Ana says, “We tend to base our routines on activities – not priorities.” So true.

Sports, extracurriculars, school, church, errands, etc., etc., etc. press into our lives with demands we allow to shape our days. Some of that can be appropriate because some activities fit into priorities. But not all. Have activities shoved out priorities and taken over? Have we lost control of what is our responsibility?

Remembering that 1) it’s not HOW MUCH gets done but WHAT gets done (the priorities) and 2) basing our routines on those priorities can truly help us enjoy ordered lives that confess the beauty of His peace.

The fifth verse of “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind” also states this desire. (Whittier and Horder)

“Drop thy still dews of quietness till all our strivings cease.
Take from our souls the strain and stress
and let our ordered lives confess the beauty of thy peace.”

What priority do you have that you realize you do not do anything about?

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2 Comments

« An Ordered Life
Want to Order More Time and Energy? »

Comments

  1. Karen Galambos says

    August 22, 2016 at 7:25 am

    [* Shield plugin marked this comment as “spam”. Reason: Human SPAM filter found “port” in “comment_content” *]
    I am struggling with this post this morning, as I am realizing that the order and routine of our lives are sometimes NOT what our priorities should be. For example, my 89 year old father, who lives in another state, just had a fall and needed knee surgery. I feel called to the work I do at home, but also believe I need to break the routine in my work to go help him. People at home are depending on me to complete the work that I have promised to do. But my dad will need help when he can go home. How do I do both? I think you posted once on the importance of being available, and I really struggle to find the balance between accomplishing work I love and that people depend upon, and interrupting that routine to care for someone in crisis.

    Reply
    • Beth Sterne says

      September 6, 2016 at 10:55 am

      Karen, you have prompted a post – coming soon. This is a dilemma we all face in some form. Thanks for putting it out on the table for us!

      Reply

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BETH STERNE
Welcome! It's great to have you here. I'm a follower of Christ and a learner of new ways. By His grace, I am gaining victory over procrastination. This is where I share struggles I face and lessons I'm learning. Join me and other sisters as we put off procrastination and put on peace.

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"Beth’s procrastination talk led me to understand procrastination as a heart issue in need of God’s restoration not just a change of my ways. Beth’s personal experiences helped me discover practical ways to attack my own procrastination. As a result I have become a more loving wife, mother and friend who is able to use the gifts God has given me more fully. I highly endorse this talk and would love to hear it again and again."
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“Beth’s presentation on procrastination was truly eye-opening. I knew I had a problem with procrastination, but never thought twice about how it impacted my relationships and showed God that I wasn’t onboard with His plan. I began to see each instance took away from being fruitful; I was living for myself! After this revelation, I have been working on procrastinating less. I can see places opening up in my life for more peaceful moments, more time with and for friends and family, and more time for God’s plan to unfold. It’s amazing to know there’s more to life for me than a life full of “should haves” as a result of procrastination.”

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Carole S.

“Beth’s presentation on procrastination was truly eye-opening. I knew I had a problem with procrastination, but never thought twice about how it impacted my relationships and showed God that I wasn’t onboard with His plan. I began to see each instance took away from being fruitful; I was living for myself! After this revelation, I have been working on procrastinating less. I can see places opening up in my life for more peaceful moments, more time with and for friends and family, and more time for God’s plan to unfold. It’s amazing to know there’s more to life for me than a life full of “should haves” as a result of procrastination.”
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“After Beth came and shared about procrastination, many realized that it is possible through the Lord's power to stop putting off what God has called us to do. One mother finally started a blog and another posted a ladies; tea for her church months in advance so that ...she would not put off having it. Although I thought I was not someone who procrastinates, I realized I had some relationships that I needed to work on. Procrastination, I learned, is not just about getting things turned in on time, it's about listening to God and doing what He says to do when He tells you to and obeying God's Word.”

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Rebecca F.

“After Beth came and shared about procrastination, many realized that it is possible through the Lord's power to stop putting off what God has called us to do. One mother finally started a blog and another posted a ladies; tea for her church months in advance so that ...she would not put off having it. Although I thought I was not someone who procrastinates, I realized I had some relationships that I needed to work on. Procrastination, I learned, is not just about getting things turned in on time, it's about listening to God and doing what He says to do when He tells you to and obeying God's Word.”
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Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise! It has
no commander, no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.
Proverbs 6:6-8
... you have put off the old man with
his deeds, and have put on the new
man who is renewed in knowledge
according to the image of Him who
created him.
Colossians 3:9-10

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