The Discipline Of Taking Inventory On Our Lives
We have so much room for improvement. Every aspect of our lives must be subjected to an inventory… of how we are taking responsibility.
Nancy Pelosi
In fifteen days, I will be leaving for my annual pilgrimage to the Poconos with a few of my friends. This is a tradition I have been keeping for over twenty years. Each year about this time, I start reviewing my packing list. I start with last year’s spreadsheet. I erase the things I didn’t need last year, and I add new things that I think will be useful this year. One of the things on my list is my tackle box. This week, I’ll be doing inventory on my fishing gear. I’ll take the opportunity to throw out a few items, and I’ll consider a few fishing lures and accessories that I think will enhance my fishing experience on this year’s trip.
Taking inventory on my fishing gear reminds me about another important stretching discipline.
It’s important to do inventory from time to time in our lives.
The discipline of taking inventory on our lives is a healthy opportunity to analyze our priorities, to consider our past, and to reset our vision for the future.
Many of us reserve this discipline for the new year (in late December or early January), but this is a discipline we need to practice with greater frequency.
I challenge you to take inventory on your season each quarter. I challenge you to take inventory on your month every month. I challenge you to take inventory on your week each weekend. And I challenge you to take inventory on your day at the end or beginning of each day.
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
If I could rephrase this verse, it would say: We should practice the daily discipline of taking inventory on our lives, so we can stretch ourselves and grow in wisdom.