Greetings to you in the name of the “Great Physician”, Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! What a beautiful late summer morning once again – God is good…all the time! I trust that you had a grand weekend and Monday – that God’s presence surrounded you and watched over all your comings and goings, blessing you in countless ways. Today I will be praying for you, asking Father to release an extra measure of health and strength and happiness!
A few weeks ago as part of our Sunday morning worship we were introduced to spiritual discipline called – the Daily Examen. I know, it sounds deep and serious, but in fact it is not necessarily so. The Examen is a simple method of reviewing your day in the presence of God. It is like when someone asks you to tell them about your day. As a rule, the Examen takes part of an evening prayer. One asks God for the ability to see the day through his eyes…and then to give thanks for the ‘bits and pieces’ of the day…and then to review specific aspects as Holy Spirit reveals them…and then give thanks for what was positive and acknowledge where things went ‘sideways’…and then ask God to help you get back on track.
This discipline, I believe, is part of many lives. We may not call it – the Examen, but we are seeking to ‘see’ where God is present in our daily lives. I truly appreciate it when God shows me a different wording to a familiar verse of scripture…and then shows me where it fits into something He is impressing upon me. Let me explain – a favourite verse around our church family is:“… For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to give you a hope and a future…” – Jeremiah 29:11 NIV. Next God sent a slightly different wording: “My plan for your life is unfolding before you.” Now I take that as an insight to the importance of my “Daily Examen”. God, I believe, is saying that the Examen is an important method to make me aware of the fact that God’s plans are unfolding in my life and where they are unfolding in my life. Therefore the Examen is a way of honouring spiritual growth.
Something to think about – be blessed!