Devotional: Organization and Disorganization and What They Teach Us

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And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. -Luke 9:10

And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing. -Luke 9:11

And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place. -Luke 9:12

But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people. -Luke 9:13

For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company. -Luke 9:14

And they did so, and made them all sit down. -Luke 9:15

Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. -Luke 9:16

And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets. -Luke 9:17

Our pastor shows us how everyday occurrences can be reminders of God in our lives. Sunday he preached on the feeding of the five thousand and talked about how Jesus organized the event.

He pointed out that organization is a reflection of the image of God in man. He also pointed out how disorganization is a reflection of how the Fall and sin have distorted the image of God in man.

It is amazing to see how everyday events like cleaning my house and trying to organize things can be a reminder of how God put his image into man.

It is also humbling to realize that where I fail and my house in disorganized it is a picture of how the Fall has distorted the image of God in us.

It would be tempting to get discouraged with disorganization in the home in light of what was said above, but putting us on a guilt trip is not the purpose. It is simply to point out a truth from Scripture that is illustrated in everyday life.

God knows our struggles in life. He knows each of our weaknesses and physical limitations. That is why he provided food and strength to the people in a desolate place. He knew their strength was weak, so He sustained them with food. (v. 16-17)

He also gave us a lesson to help us with our disorganization. He made a plan. Then He broke the task down into smaller chunks. (v. 14) and then He executed the plan. Basically, plan your work and work your plan, but don’t look at the big picture, break it down into small chunks. God will give you the strength you need to tackle the task.