A Time to Organize

Bible Reading:  Nehemiah 3:1-24

Key Verse: Verse 2 – “And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri.”

Key Words: And next unto him

I know you are thinking. “What a portion of Scripture for a devotion!” But believe me, it is really a tremendous chapter of God’s Word.   It shows us how Nehemiah accomplished the rebuilding of the walls around Jerusalem.  It took organization and organizing takes time.

I am a real stickler for organization and structure, planning out today, tomorrow, next week, next year. Oh well, you get the picture.

I am ever cognizant of the words of Bernard Baruch. “Whatever failures I have known, whatever errors I have committed, whatever follies I have witnessed in private and public life, have been the consequences of actions without forethought and planning.”  The best verse (So far as this pastor is concerned) in God’s Word for motivating us toward structure and organization is found in Ephesians 5:15-17, “See then ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”   Verses like this always grab my attention, and shake me and say, “Wake up, son.”

These are three evidences I look for in one not being structured or organized (not redeeming the time wisely): #1 punctuality, #2 procrastination, and #3 poor planning.

The story of Charles Schwab and Ivy Lee certainly comes to mind when I think of organization and structure.  Schwab was president of Bethlehem Steel. Lee, a consultant, was given the challenge, “Show me a way to get more things done with my time.” Schwab agreed to pay Lee anything within reason if Lee’s suggestions worked. Lee later handed Schwab the following plan.

“Write down the most important tasks you must do tomorrow. Number them in order of importance. When you arrive in the morning, begin immediately on number one, stay with it until the job is finished. Recheck your priorities, then begin on number two, then number three, etc.  Make this a daily habit. Send me a check for whatever you think my advice is worth.”

Lee got a check for $24,000 and Bethlehem Steel became the largest producer of steel during the heyday of the steel industry.

Your choices are two-fold: #1 Structure, or #2 Failure. I prefer #1, don’t you?

 

                                                                                                Dr. Mike Rouse

What to do: 

✞ Organize your time by using these priorities:

#1- Do that which is necessary.

#2- Do that which is needy.

#3- Do that which is nice.