How do you keep your spiritual life in order?
A CEO of a major corporation asked Fred Smith, former CEO of Fed Ex, “I have an accountant to keep me liquid, a lawyer to keep me legal, and a doctor to keep me healthy. But I have no one to help assess my spiritual condition.”
That led Smith to think about a “spiritual audit,” first for himself and then possibly for others. He came up with 15 questions. I suggest nine of them would be helpful to REVwords readers.
1. Am I content with who I am becoming?
Every day I get one-day closer to who I will ultimately be. Am I satisfied with who this will be?
Is my profession consuming me as a person?
It’s important that we be more than we do or have.
As we grow older, move from power to wisdom. Power tells people what to do. In wisdom we are the consultant.
So I ask myself: Am I moving from power and to wisdom? 
2. Am I becoming less religious and more spiritual?
The Pharisees were religious; Jesus was spiritual.
The difference between religion and spirituality is basically a matter of control. Religion as an experience I can control. Spirituality is an experience that controls me.
3. Do I have a quiet centre to my life?
I am naturally quiet. But I’m not always quiet at the centre.
There is an important difference between the fast track and the frantic track.
Jesus had a quiet centre.
4. Have I defined my strength?
Do I know what I can do effectively?
The need is always bigger than any person can satisfy, and so my call is to handle the part of the need that is mine to do.
Patrick Lencioni’s The 6 Types of Working Genius is an helpful assessment of what energizes you and others..
5. Have I maintained a genuine awe of God?
Awe inspires, it overwhelms, it intimidates, it inspires worship.
Awe is curious, not cynical.
6. Is my humility genuine?
Do I accept my strength, with gratitude?
Here’s an insightful definition of humility: “Humility is accepting your strength with gratitude.”
7. Is obedience in small matters built into my reflexes?
Obedience largely determines my relationship with Jesus. Jesus said we are his friends if we obey him.
I can obey God out of fear or from love. I choose love.
8. Do I have joy?
Joy is perfected in the full belief in God’s absolute sovereignty.
Does my joy extend into my problems?
9. Are my motives sincere?
Am I working for progress or for pride? My life is a mixed bag.
Which of the nine challenge you most with keeping your life in order?
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Power is telling people what to do. In wisdom we are the consultant.
Since my 20s my lot in life has been in managerial and leadership roles. This has unfolded at home, at work, and in church life.
But since I turned 60 my job titles have been Advisor. With the UN, the role was chief Technical Advisor to the North Asia States. Back at Transport Canada the past four years it has been Special Advisor to the Directors General Civil Aviation. At home I am a grandpa now.
John Eldridge talks about the various stages of a man’s life. One such transition is from warrior, to lover, and finally to sage. Just like an old tree in a forest, the time period in our lives where we move from telling people what to do, to coming along side as a consultant or sage is deeply satisfying.
With this stage in life I also appreciate the definition of humility being offered here. Accepting your strength with gratitude. I like that …