I was recently asked how to organize/prioritize our lives. I want to start with this disclaimer: I am NOT an organized person by nature. I am GROWING in being more organized by practice, but this is not a strength in my life. People always think that having 8 children and homeschooling and discipling other women makes me a WHIZ at organization. I only wish it were true!
Now, there have been many many things I’ve learned over the years. Most of it, I’m afraid, by some serious trial and (mostly) error – as well as some discipline from the Lord!
The thing that I’ve learned more than anything else: those helpful books are nice, but they only help once we set our priorities BEFORE THE LORD! Otherwise we are trying to accomplish supernatural work through the flesh.
Setting priorities: Did you hear that?
[clickToTweet tweet=”Supernatural work can ONLY be accomplished by the power and guidance of the Spirit!” quote=”Supernatural work can ONLY be accomplished by the power and guidance of the Spirit!”]
Now, you may be thinking, “What in the world does being organized and prioritized in my life have to do with supernatural work?” The answer: EVERYTHING!
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. 1 Cor 6:19-20
We are not creatures with sacred and secular compartment to our lives. We (who are believers) are spiritual beings and everything in our lives is part of our supernatural lives. More often than not, we don’t live in that supernatural world. We often still think of our lives as MINE and GOD’S and we divvy things up as we see fit. This is NOT how God ordained our lives.
Everything we do belongs to God. SO we must start with Him.
Before I begin any new venture, or before I start to revamp an existing one, I take it to the Lord in prayer. Generally I will write out all the things that are on MY agenda – the things I think I need to be doing: daily, weekly, monthly, etc. I will often rank them by what I feel should be their priority. Many of us stop there, but this is just the beginning.
Then I will designate the next week to prayer. If it is important enough, I will even spend time fasting and praying. If it is feeling like my life is out of control in all areas (and I have been there, and will be there again, MANY times), I will often do a 1 day fast with prayer.
I pray for God’s direction. For Him to re-order my List – or to do whatever He wants to with it. There have been times when He has tossed it out altogether and given me just 1 or 2 things to concentrate on. The point is, we MUST take our direction from the One who owns our lives.
So, I would love for anyone who is looking to make some changes or seeking to find a way to get some order in their lives to spend the next week in prayer. Ask for His direction and guidance and next week I’ll touch on some things that you can do to help work through what the Lord has shown you.
Blessings to you and may your ears be open to hear His Spirit speak into your heart!
Some other posts that might be an encouragement:
All Scripture quotations are taken from the NASB.
Unless otherwise indicated, photos from pixaby.com
Good morning, Kate. Great thoughts! I often get caught in the trap of, “as soon as I finish this, I’ll spend time with God.” There’s always a distraction to be fought though. Thanks for the encouragement to prioritize and take all our issues to Him for guidance.
Blessings!
Mrs. Sarah Coller
Homemaking Linkup going on now!
Praise the Lord, Sarah. So glad this was an encouragement.
Kate, I can almost see myself in you :), that is, in the realization that only the Lord can prosper our plans no matter how we prepare and work on them. I am a very organized person, but I had learned to trust in the Lord’s pace and direction whenever I feel that my plans are sidetracked. Like you, I also offer prayer and fasting esp. when I’ve an upcoming major event. Like now, I’m offering an extended whole morning fast for 8 days (by God’s grace) so I can attend our company’s 15th anniversary thanksgiving worship and dinner that I’m busily making preparations for.
I see it too, Rina. Praying for wisdom and strength for you in this upcoming event.
I think somewhere in the back of my mind I kept having the thoughts of praying about my problem with prioritizing and organizing. I also kept thinking I need to get my mind organized in order to start praying about stuff. My mind says I’m too messed up inside to “fix” it with God and I have to get my mind organized first before going to God. Ha, that doesn’t work for sure! After I wrote you about having this problem, somewhere along the line, it hit me, I CAN’T do anything without FIRST going to God, He is the one to help me straighten out my mind NOT me. The more I kept my line of thinking the worse I got with being confused inside. I realize this may not make any sense to some people but I have had a problem with PTSD and it is a real issue with me. I must look to God first or everything inside me falls apart. This post is very special to me, as you have helped reinforce what I must do now and always must do. I knew you would be able to put it in the right words because I know you go to God with these kinds of posts. Thank you and I look forward to the others as well. You and God have helped me with this and I am starting to feel a little more free to try again!!! Thanks so much.
Dear Correna, I’m so glad this was an encouragement to you. It was in answer to your question on my blog…so I wrote it to you. 😀 Love you, sister.
What grand suggestions, Kate. I’m going to save this on Pinterest to remind me and others. Thank you.
Kaye, you are such a sweetheart!
“Supernatural work can only be accomplished by the power and guidance of the Spirit!”
Amen to that, Kate. Good words, friend.
Laura, good to see you, as always!!