examination

"Test me, O LORD, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind."

Psalm 26:2 NIV

Advent is not only the beginning of the Christmas season, it is the beginning of the church calendar. You and I have the opportunity to approach this new year with Jesus differently than we have before. The same way we might approach New Year’s…reflecting on the past year, what we’ve accomplished, what we didn’t do that we wished we had, etc. We usually spend time thinking about changes we want to make. You know…those famous New Year’s Resolutions. But before you know where you want to go you need to know where you’ve been and where you are.
This second week of Advent, we will be looking at 'examination'.

As you reflect on this past year and as you prepare for the upcoming year, I invite you to spend some time with God asking Him to reveal those places in your life where you are falling short of what He wants for you. We all have those things in our lives that create a barrier between us and God. His love doesn’t change for us but our ability to experience it and share it with others is hindered by our sins.
Plan some time to sit with Him, in silence, and ask Him to examine your heart. You might want to consider asking questions like:

Lord, where am I falling short of what you have for me?

Would you please reveal those sins that I am not aware of?

How am doing at loving You?

At loving others?

Are there places in my life that You are trying to speak into and I am resisting?

As you sit and listen for Him to speak, know that His words will not be condemning or harsh. He is gentle when He is illuminating the dark areas of your heart. If you are experiencing shaming, condemning words consider that those might be the words of other voices…your own, your past or the Enemy. You will experience God’s correction as loving.
Begin this new year in God with an examined heart.

Grace and peace,
Deb