Order in Your Life

"When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order" (Proverbs 28:2).

We certainly have a rebellious country with many people trying to be the top dog in whatever territory of their personal world they can amass. This leads to disorder and even chaos in lives, relationships, families, communities and countries. The challenge for us is not how we are leading a particular arena of political real estate, but how are we doing managing our own lives and leading our families. This proverb says, "a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order". It is very easy for us to let things just happen, or to rely on our wives or someone else to maintain order. When our lives and homes lack order, structure, discipline, leadership, it creates a vacuum that is quickly filled with negative and non-essential would-be rulers. These rulers may include people or even inanimate objects that fill our lives, our time, consume us, and ultimately control and lead us down a dangerous and destructive path.

For some the master in our lives becomes our kids and their selfish wants or rebellious cries for control of their world. Others succumb to the inertia of the path of least resistance. It's much easier to sleep in than to discipline ourselves to wake early for a time with God. The TV becomes a mindless escape from reality and responsibility.

There are many signs of a life out of control or under the influence of another rulership. Clutter, missed appointments, angry flare ups, tension in relationships, financial debt and irresponsibility, escapism, workaholism, laziness, burn out, apathy, dullness in your marriage, lustful thoughts, immoral behavior, a routine spiritual life, are just a few out of control attitudes and actions.

The bottom line, men, is that we need to take charge of our lives. True leadership begins with managing ourselves. Seek after the knowledge and understanding that is required to get order and discipline in your life. Don't allow your life and family to become a rogue, rebellious nation. Submit to the Lord. Follow His path and you will experience the rewards of the wise man.