Examination

The scary thing about asking God to examine your heart is that if you ask, He will do it. Examinations are usually not fun. Even the word sounds intimidating. Doctors give exams, those aren’t fun, teachers give exams, those are not so fun either. So why in the world would I ask God to examine me, to give me a check up?

It is vital for my life that I continually ask God to check me, search me and examine my heart. Today I need wisdom. I need God to tell me what to do in a situation that I don’t have the answer for. My usual course of action would be to ask all those people around me what I should do, but I thought this time I might try something different. God promises us His wisdom; He says all we have to do is ask. I think sometimes I don’t ask because I don’t really want to know what He wants me to do; I would rather do what I want to do.

Sometimes I feel like my life is running parallel to Christ. He is there, still near me just not so near as to be invasive. I keep Him there because it is easier to make my own decisions and be in control of my own life. Living this way is definitely the most comfortable way to live. There is no change in my life, there is not challenge to get better and there is no influence in the lives of others. I don’t want my life to be on a different course than Gods, I want to follow His plans no matter how hard it is or how much it hurts me to do that. However, wanting to live that way and actually living that way are two very different things.

Being a parent I understand that doing what is best for my kids may not always be comfortable for them and it may not always be what they want to do. In the end it is what is best for them, I have more information than they do about their situations. God is the same, I may not want to do what He says all the time, but He sees the end from the beginning and He knows the plans He has for my life better than I know them. If I could trust Him to be in control, loosen the grip that I have on my life just a little I wonder if He could really do some amazing things. If I could release my life to Him how much more could He do with me?

2 Corinthians 13:5 says it like this,
“Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves.
Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.”

How do I know that Jesus Christ is among me? What is it in my life that looks like Christ? Today I am examining myself because I don’t want to fail the test. I need some faith and wisdom. When I don’t have that answers all I can do is look to Christ. I believe He is the answer to every question that I have. Even if His answers are different than what I may want to hear, I am challenged today to trust that He knows better for me.

Don't be afraid to examine yourself or to ask God for His advice.  I know the only way I can fail God's exam is if I quit showing up.