Order and structure for your inner world

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Selfcare”

Our Bible verse for today: “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Order and structure for your inner world”

Many years ago, when I was the pastor of a church in California, I knew an elderly lady who was truly one of the great saints of God. She was in her late 70s and early 80s when I knew her. She was a widow who had been a pastor’s wife and then, in her later years, the manager of a small Christian bookstore. She was something of an institution in our town and in our church. She was also one of my greatest supporters and encouragers.

Jane had a sweet, peaceful, tranquil spirit. She was always warm and kind, gentle and joyful, and it seemed as if she lived slightly above life – as if she glided through and maybe above the difficulties and challenges of life. She radiated peace and serenity.

The secret to Jane’s quiet, peaceful spirit is what Paul was describing in Philippians 4:6-7, her inner world was in order and therefore it imposed order on her outer world. Throughout her long life, Jane had practiced what pastor and author Eugene Peterson once described as “a long obedience in the same direction.” He was referring to good spiritual discipline. The long obedience in the same direction that Peterson wrote about and which Jane practiced consists of lots of prayer and Bible study, fellowship with other Christians, full participation in the life of a good church, regular acts of service to the Lord and to others, and learning to live with an awareness of the presence of God always with you – all practiced daily over a period of years and decades.

I’m a strong believer in the value of having life-verses, Biblical principles, and motivational sayings that I find inspiring and helpful and which I write down and refer to often. I have them on notecards in my Bibles and books; they are written in my journals; they are printed and framed on my desk and bookcases; and I have them written on “Post-it” notes and tucked away in nooks and crannies everywhere. I refer to them often and one of my favorites reads like this, “The more your inner world is ordered and under control, the more successful your life will be.”

That is what both Paul and Eugene Peterson were referring to. It’s what my old friend Jane practiced and which made such an observable difference in her life. It’s also what I aspire to in my own life.

Creating order and structure in your inner world is one of the most helpful things you can do in terms of selfcare. The more your inner world is ordered and under control, the more successful your life will be.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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