The Importance of Self-Examination
Edison and his searchlight cart in 1915, from the Smithsonian. Public Domain
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you …” -II Corinthians 13:5.
“… Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.… -Psalm 26:2
When we were children and we went to the doctor, we could be comforted by the words, “Don’t worry, its just an examination."
As we grew older, we came to understand that such examinations could be quite uncomfortable. Furthermore, we began to express concern over what the examiner might find and what the course of treatment might be. We have even deceived ourselves into thinking that if we could ignore a problem, it might go away. That does not work in the physical realm or the spiritual.
The tragedy of avoidance is that in trying not to hear the bad news, we miss the good news as well.
Let God do the examination and show you what He wants you to know. He has some things to say to you today about you and one is how much He loves you. He may also wish to show you some areas where He wants to work in your life to help you grow, to overcome some obstacles, and to exercise faith at a new level. Nothing is too frightening. He loves you and can transform even the darkest places with His light of the truth and love.
Listen, seek, and wait on Him.
Our task is to examine ourselves. The ultimate question for us to ask is the question of faith. Are we in THE faith and are we acting and living on faith?
If the answer is affirmative, there is no limit to what God can do in and through us.
Let God search your heart and life today and reveal Himself and yourself to you. Then, commit to taking whatever step of faith that He leads you to take with His help and in His strength.
