“The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.” – Hebrews 1:3.
Have you ever sat back, taking in the chaos around you, and decided that you need to get your life back in order? Most people live their lives at such a fast pace that they barely have time to keep up with life, so it seems natural for us to strive to bring order to chaos. The Bible gives us a clear picture of what a well-ordered life looks like.
Did Jesus live an orderly life when He was here on this earth? Yes, the life of Jesus can be described as well-ordered. While He was often busy and faced many demands, His life was characterized by a deep sense of purpose, intentionality, and alignment with God’s will. He prioritized prayer, retreat, and teaching His disciples, demonstrating a balanced approach to ministry and personal life.
Take a moment to reflect on just how orderly and sustainable our universe is. The fact that the universe has remained this way for untold thousands of years should solidify our faith in Christ more than ever. Hebrews 1:3 tells us that Christ sustains everything by His power. Not only did God create and order it, but He, by the same word, sustains it. Everything has remained in its proper place and orbit, and it will remain that way until Christ comes again.
Jesus created, ordered, and sustained the universe, and created, ordered, and sustained the new life of those who chose to follow Him. The Psalmist in Psalms 119:133 (KJV) says, “Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” Psalms 37:23-24 (NKJV) adds, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.” And 1 Corinthians 14:40 says, “But be sure that everything is done properly and in order.”
God has not called us to live our lives in a happenstance manner, but to live our lives in a way that reflects Him. It’s easy to think that a disciplined life is a stiff and burdensome existence, but that is not true. Discipline is a matter of dedication, and it starts from the most minor things, but it builds up to be so much more. It’s not enough to have good intentions about the way we want to live life daily; it’s allowing God to order your life by surrendering your will to His and trusting that His plans are better than your own.
This involves actively seeking God’s guidance through His Word and prayer, recognizing that His path may not always be easy but is ultimately for your good. It’s about acknowledging that God’s wisdom surpasses our understanding and choosing to follow His lead, even when it’s difficult.
Discussion Questions:
- How would you define a “well-ordered life” in the context of your faith?
- What does it mean to have a life that is “decent and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40)?
- What are the key characteristics of a life that reflects God’s design?