“Okay, what in the world is he talking about now?!”

ISO. “Eye’-sew.” You know, the International Standardization Organization. Thanks to them, we have standardized shipping containers, standards for various computer and television interfaces, universal icons (stop, play, pause, etc.), and much more.

I worked for an engineering and manufacturing firm. We voluntarily subscribed to ISO 9001:2008 and AS 9100C. Instead of being “micro-inspected” by the government every step of the way when we worked on Department of Defense projects (like in the old days), we had to abide by our own quality program.

First, our program had to comply with the ISO standards above. Second, we internally had to verify that we were meeting those requirements. And third? An outside firm professionally audited us on a regular basis. They would verify that we complied! Outcome? We always passed (big smile). We could do our jobs, produce outstanding equipment, and (by the way) could have even done NASA-level work!

How does this apply to a person? Think about when you were a toddler. A child. An adolescent. You learned a lot and hopefully were under the careful, loving, and near-constant watch care of one or several people. They taught, encouraged, corrected, and guided you.

Should that same level of “quality control” be necessary for a teenager? A young adult? Hopefully not! But unfortunately, we see that far too many teens and even adults never INTERNALIZED their own “quality program.”

So: Is your life “ISO?”                                                                 

The theme of my Blog is “Building Strong Foundations in a Shifting World.” I propose that valid, relevant, reliable standards are essential for strong foundations in our country, our businesses and organizations, and even our personal lives.

• VALID: There are some “standards” that are not valid, even if they once were. Please don’t figure this year’s taxes based on 2005 standards!
• RELEVANT: Don’t “strain gnats and swallow elephants.” There’s a lot of stuff in life that’s just preference, and that’s okay. Concentrate of what’s really important.
• RELIABLE: By this, I mean solid standards that don’t shift based on what’s currently politically correct.  

We’ve already talked about “ISO” standards in business. If a company doesn’t maintain an adequate quality program, they can’t compete!

Are there similar standards for government?

Of course. For the United States, it’s our Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Amendments. They mandate that the People’s Congress establish laws. The Executive Branch is to execute those laws. And the Judicial Branch is to ensure those laws are Constitutional.

Are those standards being followed? No, and there’s no wonder why we’re in such a mess. We have Presidents writing Executive Orders which are enforced as law, while not enforcing duly enacted laws. Federal judges “re-interpret” the Constitution to say things that aren’t there (they “legislate from the bench”) And Congress has turned most of its authority over to unelected bureaucrats.

Organizations? We hear of charities that lost track of millions of dollars. Some of their CEOs have salaries and perks that rival those of multinational corporations. We hear of “ministries” that are unaccountable.

So again, how about you? Can your spouse depend on you? Your children?

What standards do you live by? Are they valid, relevant, and reliable? Or do you just make it up as you go to get your own way?

May we go a little deeper?

God gave “standards” (Ten Commandments) to the Jews. When they obeyed, they were blessed. When they disobeyed? Not so much. An example of the latter is the period of Judges, where “…everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

King David and others were held accountable to those standards by various prophets.  But the “wise” King Solomon? Was there any prophet who had access to him during his reign? Not that we know of. Maybe he thought he was above accountability? Immeasurably wealthy, powerful, and wise; he found that everything “under the sun” (physical world and life, apart from God) was “vanity of vanities.” Read Ecclesiastes; he was a man who strayed far from the “standards” of his youth!

Jump ahead to the New Testament, and to those of us who have accepted Christ’s atoning, sacrificial death on our behalf. We believe He died in our place (John 3:16-18) so we are no longer “under the law, but under grace.” (Rom 6:14)

Here we go: Under His grace and empowered by His Spirit, we now desire and strive to follow His word; valid standards that are relevant and reliable.

The Word of God. Bedrock “ISO” principles for “Building Strong Foundations in a Shifting World!”

Just remember, you can know all the right stuff. King Solomon did. But what’s needed is ACCOUNTABILITY. That’s what assures COMPLIANCE. Remember, our company had internal audits. Then, external audits.

Us? Scripture often admonishes us by identifying sin and warning us to repent: “self-examination” (internal audits). And? We are to be in fellowship with other believers who care enough to warn us if they see us heading into compromise (external audits).

Remember, sin will cause you to head into isolation and darkness; or isolation and darkness will lead us into sin! Are YOU accountable to someone or a small group? (Suggestion: Someone of the same sex who isn’t a family member.)

Thoughts?

Very respectfully,

Bill