Let’s Put Everything in Order
If there is something that affects our lives, it is living in the midst of disorder. Pitifully, many of us are messy and we take that mess wherever we go; that is, we have disorder in our house, in our workplace, in our rooms, and, of course, we also have disorder in our minds and in our hearts. The disorder in which many of us live can produce stress, anxiety, and obesity. It can also make us incapable of making decisions, which, at times means having to postpone decisions altogether.
Why must we try to have an orderly life? Because our God is a God of order, and we, as Christians should seek that same sense of order. The word cosmos comes from the Greek word meaning order. Everything that God has created has a perfect order. The commandments were given to us, not for the purpose of annoying us or to control our lives, but because God is our Father, and he knows what we need to lead an orderly and peaceful life. Saint Augustine himself defined peace as the tranquility given by order.
Perhaps many of us, when we think about starting to put our lives in order, feel frightened by all that this may imply. We imagine how much it will cost us or we feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. We might even think that putting our lives in order is impossible to achieve. I assure you, said order cannot be achieved in one fell swoop, but we can start little by little, step by step, without going back.
The easiest way to start, is by putting our priorities in order. For example:
- a) My time with God
- b) My time with my family
- c) My health
- d) My job
Subsequently, we must make a list of those things we should let go. Things like a bad friendship, a vice, a recurring sin, an attachment to something or someone, or a grudge are all obstacles to an orderly interior life and should be purged.
Finally, to start a new and ordered life, we must make a list of “to do’s” that are in line with our priorities. It could mean approaching the Sacrament of Confession, forgiving or asking someone for forgiveness, following a fixed schedule in our daily lives or seeking healthier relationships.
This Lent gives us all an excellent opportunity to start putting things in order so that we may lead a life in peace.
Mother María Elena Martínez is a nun, born in Mexico City, where she still resides today. She has had a consecrated life for more than 30 years. She is currently a member of a community called María Madre del Amor which is dedicated to evangelization through Emmaus retreats in parishes and prisons and Sicar retreats for young people.
