In the late 1990’s I worked for a top manufacturer of audio equipment for automobiles. Across the company this organization had adopted the 5S approach, a system that included guidelines for organizing the workplace. They include, Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain.
While these guidelines were effective in the workplace and while they can be applied to how you keep your home in order, they can also be adopted in a modified form to keep our lives in order as believers. Can I show you what I mean? I hope you said, “Yes,” because I shall persist in doing my best to explain how this system, developed in Japan, can be applied worldwide in the lives of Christians. So, for all you readers who live outside of the United States, know that anyplace on this created world, these guidelines can be embraced by you. We are going to check them out in just a few minutes and spare your need to register for a costly one-week workshop.
Sort: Remove the unnecessary obstructions in your life that can cause disruption, discord, deviation from righteousness, and distractions that will keep you from being committed to the climb. (“Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers (Psalm 1:1 NASB).”
Set in Order: Put yourself in the optimal place for fulfilling your God-given purpose in life. (“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:1-2 NASB).”
Shine: Clean and inspect your behaviors regularly. “Now then, the Lord of armies says this: “Consider your ways (Haggai 1:5 NASB).’”
Sustain Cleanliness (Standardization): Maintain a clean track record in your new life in Christ Jesus. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (I Peter 2:9 NASB).”
Sustain by Self-Discipline: Live right, and avoid sinning to the best of your ability, progressively getting better in living a sanctified life, according to the word of God. As I have told you before, “Achieve excellence by striving for perfection continuously”. “Therefore, you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48 NASB).”
Just for your information and further edification, know that the advanced 5S method has been expanded in the workplace to include a fifth and sixth “S.” I would be short-changing you, wouldn’t I, if I did not share them with you. So, here they are.
Safety – Ensure you apply safety recommendations. “The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Whom should, I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom should I dread (Psalm 27:1 NASB)”
Spirit – Depend on the Holy Spirit within you. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and remind you of all that I said to you (John 14:26 NASB).”
My prayer is that these methods will be deemed as important, thought of in terms of methodology that matters as you go through the days ahead. Be blessed!
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King