What Does the Bible Say About Ordering Our Days?
Have you ever noticed how easy it is for our days to spiral out of control when we don’t start with intention? We plan to spend time with God, but then emails, texts, and tasks creep in. We set goals for the day, but unexpected interruptions leave us frustrated. And before we know it, we collapse into bed wondering, Where did the day go? Psalm 90:12 gives us this wisdom:
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
This verse isn’t simply about counting days—it’s about ordering them. Each day is a gift from God, and when we surrender it back to Him, He brings both purpose and peace. If we want to live life on purpose for His glory, it begins with ordered days and open hands.
How to Order Your Days With God’s Priorities
Ordering our days doesn’t mean cramming them full of productivity or micromanaging every detail. Instead, it means aligning them with God’s priorities.
- Start with Him. When we begin our day in prayer and Scripture, we anchor ourselves in His presence before the chaos begins.
- Seek His priorities. Proverbs 16:3 reminds us, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” Instead of asking God to bless our agenda, we can invite Him to set the agenda.
- Leave margin. An ordered day includes space—for rest, for reflection, for people God places in our path.
Think of it this way: a well-ordered day isn’t a checklist, but a daily rhythm of walking with God.
Open Hands: Trusting God with Your Plans
Even when we order our days, life doesn’t always go as planned. The car breaks down, the meeting runs long, the child gets sick, or the opportunity we counted on doesn’t come through. That’s where open hands come in.
Living with open hands means holding our schedules, plans, and even dreams loosely—trusting God to redirect them when needed.
- It’s surrender. We lay down the illusion of control and trust that His ways are higher (Isaiah 55:8–9).
- It’s flexibility. Instead of clinging tightly to our plans, we see interruptions as possible divine appointments.
- It’s peace. When our hands are open, our hearts are too—and God can fill them with what we truly need.
Jesus as Our Example of Ordered Days and Open Hands
Jesus Himself modeled this rhythm. He rose early to pray and spend time with His Father (Mark 1:35), yet He often allowed His day to be “interrupted” by people in need—a blind man calling out, children running toward Him, a woman reaching for His robe. His days were ordered in prayer, but His hands were open to divine appointments.
4 Practical Ways to Live with Ordered Days and Open Hands
- Morning Surrender Prayer – Start your day with: “Lord, this day is Yours. Order my steps. Help me hold my plans with open hands.”
- Plan with Margin – Don’t fill every minute. Leave space for God’s redirection.
- Evening Reflection – End the day asking: “Where did I see God at work today? Did I keep my hands open?”
- Weekly Reset – Take time each week to prayerfully look ahead, but also ask where you need to release control.
Living with Purpose: Walking It Out Daily
Living with ordered days and open hands doesn’t come naturally—it takes daily surrender. But when we invite God into our schedules, He brings both structure and freedom. Ordered days keep us intentional. Open hands keep us available. And together, they help us live life on purpose—for His glory.
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