Who understands anything when there is chaos? When everyone is speaking at once, who do we listen to? What is the focus when there is so many things grabbing our attention? The answer that is there is only chaos and noise and things happening.
“40But all things should be done decently and in order.” — 1 Corinthians 14:40 (ESV)
Without order, there is nothing to truly focus our attention. There has to be something to focus on to really get things done. In fact there are studies that have confirmed that the humans can only have concentrated focus on one thing at a time. Yes, people will tell that they are really great at multi-tasking and they truly believe that, but reality is that they are task switching and not multi-tasking. They are moving from item to item quickly and giving full attention to the one at the switch and the other is left out.
There has to be order and focus for things to really take effect. Since we are not able to focus on multiple things, the chaos that some say they thrive in is just giving them nervous energy and creates more work for their brains and subsequently the rest of themselves. There has to be order and not the constant bouncing from one topic to the other.
“26What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up…31For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged,” — 1 Corinthians 14:26 & 31 (ESV)
I know that everyone wants to be heard and not left out. There is also limited time in a lot if not all situations and some may not have an opportunity to share and encourage. This is where order must take shape. There has to be a plan to ensure that everyone has their opportunity to be heard. There has to be order to that which occurs for the even to worthwhile and meaningful.
No, not everything that is spoken or shared will be for everyone, but that is the reason for the order. There has to be the opportunity for everyone to be heard and everyone to have an opportunity to hear and decide for themselves. If the order is not there, then the loudest and most domineering is the one or ones that are heard and all else is left out. Just because the message is loud, does not mean that it is meaningful, it is just loud. The encouragement for all others may come from what was not heard and that would be a travesty to deprive someone of an opportunity to be encouraged. For those that do not find that which is being spoken at the moment useful, they would also have the opportunity to turn their focus elsewhere for the moment and come back at the next speaker or presenter.
In the order there will be encouragement for everyone. That encouragement may not come at the same time for each one, but during each presentation, someone will find encouragement and during another someone else. It is this order that allows for the focus on the one and thereby allowing that human to concentrate and find the encouragement meant for them.
Where are you looking for encouragement? Are you finding yourself in the chaos looking for that one nugget? What if you placed yourself and operated in a more orderly environment so that your focus could be on the one thing and you would be able to find the encouragement meant for you?
Trevor's Thoughts 