Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Perseverance”
Our Bible verse for today: “But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” 1 Corinthians 14:58 (NIV)
Our thought for today: “Structure and order helps us to persevere.”
I thrive on structure and routine. I’m a little OCD by nature to begin with, but then there are those twenty-one years of military discipline and training …
This morning I was reading in 1 Corinthians chapter 14 and I came across those two verses which are music to the heart of an OCD former military officer and current pastor: “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.” 1 Corinthians 14:40, and “But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” 1Corinthians 14:58
God is a God of order and structure. We can see that in the amazing and beautiful complexity of creation. The more scientists are able to unravel the mysteries of the universe the more they discover the intricate manner in which creation is planned, structured, and woven together – right down to the molecular level.
All of creation is ordered and structured, that’s what makes it so efficient and effective. To a large extent we are to be too. Human beings thrive on order and structure. That’s why we tend to be creatures of habit. Of course there is something to be said for spontaneity and creativity too, but there can be much advantage to regularity and routine – and that is especially true when we’re attempting to persevere through hard times.
For instance, when a person has lost a spouse one of the most helpful things they can do to help them progress through the stages of grief and adjustment is to establish a daily routine and then stick to it. Get up at the same time every morning; pray and read your Bible at the same time and in the same place everyday; have a plan for daily activities and make yourself to stick to it; go to bed at the same time every night; etc.
When it comes to successfully persevering at anything it is often simply a matter of having a clear plan for each day, putting one foot in front of the other, and then just continuing to move forward. Order and structure, plus a clear plan and a resolve to stick with it, goes a long way when it comes to persevering.
To a very large degree God is ordered and structured; His creation is ordered and structured; and we tend to be at our best when we are too.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 