Putting Things in Their Proper Place

Most of us can relate to what I am about to say, because no matter what occupation you might be in, there is a need somewhere in your life to put things in their proper place. Living spaces become cluttered, dirty dishes stack up, garages get filled up with the “stuff” we collect over the years, and paperwork never seems to end, whether at home or on the job. Occasionally we might visit someone who seems to have their house or office in perfect order, with every thing in its place. That, of course, is the exception, not the rule. Those of you who have seen my office during a busy week (and even those not so busy weeks) know that my desk (along with the table to the right of my desk, the top of my file cabinet, and the floor) usually has a pile of paper and books to be put in their proper place. I do my best to keep things from getting out of hand, though from time to time I have to make a special effort to get the desk cleared so I can start another stack of stuff to file later. I have known some preachers who never filed anything. The stack of papers and books on their desk makes mine look like the Kalahari desert. In fact, on one occasion I stopped by to visit a fellow preacher, and when I sat down in the chair provided for visitors, I literally could not see him behind his desk. He had to move his chair so we could visit. I have often heard that a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind. I try to avoid the extreme realizing that very possibly an empty desk is the sign of an empty mind; so I try to strike a happy medium. Most of us realize that the key to proper organization is putting things in their proper place. Consider three areas that could very well rob us of the abundant life that our Lord wants us to have.

Procrastination is one culprit that hinders us along the way. We drop our coats on the floor when we come through the door; tools are left on the floor or shelf; paperwork is stacked rather than filed away. Pressing matters drive us to declare, “I’ll get to that in just a minute.” The “minute” turns to an hour, and the hours flee by. And before we know it, the simple becomes difficult, and that “little” job has become one enormous burden. Many a soul will be lost for the simple reason that they failed to put things in their proper place, spiritually speaking. Procrastination keeps us from Bible study and prayer. “I’ll get to my study after….” But “after” never comes, the “minutes” turn to hours, the hours to months and years, and eventually time brings on eternity – and we never took the time to put spiritual things in their proper place.

Another culprit is misplaced priorities. Television beckons us to sit and enjoy an evening of relaxation and entertainment, and the call from the kitchen or desktop goes unheeded. Our busy schedules often crowd out some of those things that are really so very important. How many of us fail to spend precious moments with our children because we think we do not have the time? How many of us put off those little chores about the house because of lack of time? What about neglect to speak kind words to those with whom we work? Have we comforted those in sorrow? The list is endless. Misplaced priorities put church activities on the back burner and ball games and business in the forefront. That “once-in-a-life” opportunity takes precedence over the really important things, and rather than seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33), we are drawn into the whirlpool of worldly cares and concerns and never get around to the things that are really important.

And last of all, there is the mind set which says, “I just don’t care.” We speak of apathy. Some folks are not bothered in the least with that pile of dishes or the stack of paperwork. Apathy arrests our activity and indifference clogs our initiative. Eventually apathy robs us of concern and leaves us indifferent to those things that really matter; those things that are eternal, not temporal (2 Cor. 4:17-18). We reach the point where we can no longer be touched by the tender pleas of our heavenly Father, His word falling on deaf ears and hardened hearts. Many a soul will spend eternity in hell because he simply did not take the time to read, pray, attend church or attend to those things of so great importance. All because he just did not seem to care about those things that are eternal.

A man (we will call him John) once tried to speak to his friend about Jesus, only to be rejected. But our faithful child of God was persistent, seeking occasion to tell his friend about Christ, His church, and God’s desire for him. But with each attempt came the response, “John, I’m just too busy to be concerned with those things. I just don’t have time!” Finally, after numerous rejections, John approached his friend one more time and asked him for an opportunity to study the Bible with him. And, once again, he was rejected with the same refrain: “I just don’t have time!” As his friend turned to walk away, our brother in Christ placed his hand on Jim’s shoulder and asked, “If I had been the angel of death, would you have had time then?” Friends, we are going to take the time when the cold shadow of death comes upon us. And one second after we have passed through the portals of death we will stand with eternity before us leaving us to wonder why we did not TAKE the time for those things that are REALLY important! Why not give consideration to those things eternal while there is yet time?

These three thieves of procrastination, misplaced priorities, and apathy keep us in constant disarray and keep us from putting things in their proper place. We can, and often do, wink at cluttered desks, dirty kitchens, and/or disorderly garages, but when it comes to the spiritual man, these three thieves become murderers. How sad that many a soul will hear his eternal doom for the simple reason that he failed to put things in their proper place.