Examine Yourself!

 

Now that we’re back in school, the faculty and staff of GBA are required to do a self-assessment related to COVID-19 every morning. I log onto a special program, answer key questions, record my temperature, and get the green light allowing me to be on campus. Of course, the health of our entire school community is dependent on everyone’s recording accurate information, so I take the matter seriously.

Most days, I feel fine; occasionally, I take a little longer to decide. I find myself emerging slowly from sleep, swallowing hard a couple of times. Do I have a sore throat? Am I nauseated or just hungry? Let’s get a drink of water and see how I feel then. It’s really almost pathetic how self-focused I’ve become. But this is what we’re asked to do—assess our health every day.

Recently, as I lay in the semi-darkness thinking too much about my own physical sensations, it occurred to me that it had been a while since I’d focused so carefully on my spiritual health. In addition to being ever so careful about breathing on one another and making sure we clean frequently touched surfaces, we live in a world that, even in normal times, invites us to buy a car that offers a smooth ride, choose clothing that can “breathe,” opt for the best-tasting mouthwash. It would seem that life is all about feeling good and having the most pleasing physical experience possible. But we know that life—real life—is mostly about what happens in the spirit.

So I’ve been thinking about this idea a good bit the past several days, and I’ve compiled a list of questions:

• Am I spending time in direct, purposeful contact with God?
• Do I hunger for righteousness?
• Do I have an appetite for God’s word?
• Am I emanating love?
• Does goodness flow from my life?
•  Am I taking every opportunity to tell others about Christ?
•  Do I have “clean hands and a pure heart” (Ps. 24:4) in God’s eyes?

The apostle Paul encouraged Corinthian believers to have a look at themselves. The Amplified Version puts it this way: “Test and evaluate yourselves to see whether you are in the faith and living your lives as [committed] believers. Examine yourselves [not me]!” (II Corinthians 13:5) 

I have no objection to asking myself the COVID questions. I don’t mind wearing a mask if it will help us all stay healthy. I have sung “Happy Birthday” so many times over the bathroom sink, it has become automatic. But now I’m trying to form another habit. I want to examine myself to see if I am living the life that pleases God, a life that encourages spiritual health and well-being. This practice is one I know will make a lasting difference.

Will you join me?

--Sherry Poff