Search Me, Lord

Many of us are so preoccupied with the happenings and shortcomings of everybody else that we fail to take inventory of ourselves. We are so busy judging, pointing the finger and examining others, when our own lives are a mess, although we want everyone to think that we’ve got it all together. We should keep Luke 6:42 in the forefront of our mind: “How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.” Why is it that our brother’s faults are so easy for us to see, but we choose to be oblivious to our own flaws? How hypocritical for us to point the finger at our sister and fail to notice the three fingers pointing back at us!


What we need to do is take inventory of ourselves. What attribute of the fruit of the spirit needs to be restocked in your life? Is it love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness or temperance? (Galatians 5:22-23) What characteristics about you need to be “recalled” and pulled off the shelf? What excess inventory do you need to get rid of – lying, gossiping, backbiting, jealousy…? If we take a long, hard look in the mirror, looking beyond the exterior, we will see our own flaws and find that we will become so occupied with removing the log out of our own eye that we won’t have enough time to point out the speck in our brother’s or sister’s eye.

We should constantly examine ourselves so that we are always striving to become better servants for God’s kingdom. Think about this – most people who constantly judge others and put other people’s business on Front Street are only trying to cover up their own shortcomings, but it’s just a matter of time before God exposes them just as they are exposing their brother or sister. Matthew 7:1-2 tells us “Don't condemn others, and God won't condemn you. God will be as hard on you as you are on others! He will treat you exactly as you treat them.” Remember, you reap what you sow. (Galatians 6:7)

Learn to spend less time exposing others and more time exposing yourself to God. Take self-inventory and make a list of the things that need to be changed in your life. Take notice of those three fingers pointing back at you every time you point the finger at someone else, because they are a reminder that you, too, have flaws. None of us have room to judge, because it's only by the grace of God that we are not consumed.



I'm reminded of a very familiar song:

Search me, search me Lord
Search me, search me Lord
Shine your light from heaven on my soul
If you find anything that shouldn't be
Take it out and strengthen me
I wanna be right, I wanna be saved, I wanna be whole

This should always be our prayer.

Til we meet again...

Live more...worry less...laugh often!

Your sister in Christ,
Keisha