Today’s scripture: 2 cor 13:1-13 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Lynnette Pullen-Bradford):
I have a special place in my heart for movies made in the 1980s. I can’t explain it; I just do. When I read II Corinthians 13:5 (AMP version), it made me think of a movie scene in “The Neverending Story.” It’s the part where Atreyu, on a quest to save his world, is told he has to pass a test in which he must confront his “true self.” He has to look into a mirror to see who he truly is. Atreyu is warned that most people running away screaming. Upon looking into the magic mirror, Atreyu discovers that he is not a great warrior on a quest as he thought, but a little boy trying to find his way in life. It is the art of introspection. Examining yourself inwardly, stripping all pretense and facades away to bare your true naked self. To look into your soul, your character, your inner self and see what is really there; revealing things that no one else but you and GOD know about — the good, the bad, and the ugly. Why go through this painful process? Why uncover the flaws and failings? The only answer I could come up with was “Why not?”
I know it can be scary and intimidating — and, if we are honest with ourselves, disappointing at times. But how else can we improve if we don’t know where we fail? How else can we grow if we don’t take time to see and acknowledge our flaws? I remember my wife telling me once that sometimes I can be a bit “abrasive” when I’m stressed. I didn’t like to hear that. I didn’t want to hear it either. But I needed to hear it. It made me look at my behavior and examine it thoroughly. I had to come to grips with the fact that I was hurting my family’s feelings, even though it was unintentional. The trick is not to run away screaming when you find out something you don’t like. Keep looking into the mirror. Get to the bottom of it, then you and GOD together can work through it. I have found that when GOD brings something that needs to be corrected to your attention, GOD also allots enough grace and direction to help you get through it. Sometimes, though, we also go to the other extreme of only noticing our shortcomings.
Being introspective doesn’t only mean looking at what’s wrong; it means recognizing and celebrating progress too. We are living beings and as such are in constant growth. Take time to see where growth has occurred; don’t wait until your goals have been met to celebrate! I have a friend that says she had never been able to be faithful in a relationship until she met her husband. She could rejoice in the fact that she has learned to be loyal or constantly beat herself up about her past. Look for and hold dear your progress; it is gift to be remembered and honored.
Prayer for the day: GOD, thank YOU for the gift of insight. Sometimes examining our true selves can be intimidating, scary, and upsetting. Help us to get past the initial shock and shame of our faults so that we may focus our efforts on improving the areas YOU have brought to our attention. Help us also to be gracious to each other as we are going through this process together. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.