“So we are each responsible for our own conduct…So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone – especially to those in the family of faith.”
Galatians 6:5,9-10 NLT
The final questions I ask myself in concluding my daily Examen is, “How might I have changed my day?” It’s too easy to excuse my behaviour because of circumstance or the actions of another. I must take personal ownership over the way I live out my life each day. This is why the questions I recommend for the Examen are active, not passive.
Scripture reminds me that God is working with me and it is I who can choose to make changes in my approach to life. Society schools us in playing the blame game. There is always some objective reason why I did not do what was expected. We also compare ourselves with others, so we claim we would be successful if we enjoyed the same benefits as someone else. Yet, God has equipped each one of us to succeed. Success is determined by God. It is never a measure of status or possession; always one of greater dependence upon God.
Once, I assumed my success might be measured against the number of situations I had changed through my initiatives, albeit working with others. I also felt as if I was the preacher who would transform people’s lives through my anointed sermons. I was looking for human affirmation and all this revealed was a fractured self-esteem. As I have journeyed with God through difficult circumstances, I’ve discovered that the reality of my life can only be measured by the degree to which I know God. And that is revealed by the degree to which I trust God’s promises in practice. So I can quite simply get on with doing good, with no concerns about where this fits into God’s greater plan. That’s always and only God’s responsibility.
QUESTION
Ask yourself “How might I have changed my day?” Think through adjustments to your behaviour so that you might deepen your friendship with God.
PRAYER
Lord, help me tomorrow to do someone good and to show your goodness to others.
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