Ready to spring into organizing your life but feeling overwhelmed, crying out for help, and wondering how to start?”
Start by asking God to give you a vision of order for your life. Write it down, because it will help you stay focused.
God's dealing with Samuel
Samuel is a wonderful example of a man who was given the vision of bringing order to an entire nation, but he was overwhelmed with how to make it happen.
Still, he was obedient to God. When it was time to anoint a new king and give definition to the order of God’s rule over Israel, God sent the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 16:1-13).
The Lord’s first instructions were quite simple: Get the supplies and go. “Fill your horn with oil and be on your way” (verse 1).
Samuel understood that God had chosen one of Jesse’s sons to be king.
However, he was afraid to fulfill that vision because he thought he would be found out and killed by Saul in the process!
“How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me” (verse 2).
Modern-day experiences
Before getting organized, many of my clients were just as overwhelmed and fearful about tackling their piles of clutter!
Their fears centered around what might be “found out” in the process of going through their clutter.
“Oh, there are so many things I should have done, but didn’t.”
“I’m embarrassed.”
“I have so many memories I am clinging to.”
“I feel like crying.”
The needs and responses are common.
Trust as you go
God responded to Samuel’s fear with these three first steps.
- What to take. “Take a heifer ” (verse 2).
- What to say. “I have come to sacrifice” (verse 2).
- What to do. “Invite Jesse to the sacrifice” (verse 3).
The Lord then encouraged Samuel as to whom to trust for more instructions. “I will show you what to do” (verse 3).
Samuel had confidence in God. He understood the goal but only knew the first three steps! God continued to show Samuel step by step.
He will do the same for us when we are cleaning out our clutter and getting organized!
A key to getting our lives in order is to know Whose we are, where we came from, and where we are going. Get a vision of order. Take similar first steps as Samuel. Listen to God, get ready with supplies, and be willing to “sacrifice” some, or many, unused possessions by giving away and throwing away.
Act on your trust
Most of all, be obedient to the things God shows you, just as Samuel trusted God and responded in obedience to a situation that made little sense.
“Samuel did what the Lord said” (verse 4). As a result, a young shepherd boy became King David, the ancestor of our beloved Lord and Savior.
What did it take for Samuel to hear God? Time. He spent time with our Creator. Getting organized is a step-by-step process of constant prayer and obedience. It’s another form of steady plodding.
You may think God doesn’t speak to you or that you can’t hear Him. In His love letters and instruction manual —His Word—He speaks to all of us.
Be encouraged that when you set time aside to spend with Him, you can expect Him to show you what to do! Yes! Expect God! I find that if I want the presence of God, I need to be present in His Word.
Spending time with God worked for Samuel, and it will work for us. Our God is faithful and has a vision and plan ready to help you. Just ask Him.
Editor’s note: Scripture quotations in this article are from the NIV.
Patty Chirico is founder and owner of Jericho Enterprises Inc., a professional organizing firm. She speaks at seminars and retreats for businesses and churches and consults in offices and homes. For specific, biblically based steps to organize your life, order Patty’s book, The Genesis Principle: The ABC’s of Throwing Disorganization, Procrastination, and Personal Humiliation Out of Your Life Forever. Contact Patty by calling (770) 535-4557 or by email at pchirico@jerichoenterprises.com.
