Where Do I Stand?
In
the spirit of new beginnings prompted by a “new” year, I invite you to
consider,“Where Do I Stand?”
The following is adapted from the teaching of Christian leaders Norman Shawchuck and Roger Heuser and the truths of scripture found in Psalm 139:23-24 and Jeremiah 17:9-10.
The ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates, said that the unexamined life is not worth living. To look after and care for the soul, according to Socrates, was more important than money, honor, and even reputation. The first duty was “to know thyself.” An essential practice for effective work and leadership is to examine continually one’s own life. This is true at home, in the workplace (school for some), in relationships, in church…
Here are four ways to begin:
Examine the character of your life when out of the public eye.
Who am I? What thoughts do I entertain? To what private and secret activities do I give myself?
Examine the character of your life and work in the public eye.
What are my values and behaviors as a parent, student, employee, employer, retiree, church leader? To what do I give myself? What are the true results of my work and leadership?
Examine your motives and give each day over to God.
Protestant reformer Martin Luther taught that the last activity of each day should be to examine one’s motives and actions of the day, and then give the day to God and go to sleep. While we are out of the way in the hours of this momentary death (Luther’s term for sleep), God may finish our work, doing for us as we sleep what we could not accomplish in our wakeful hours.
Cultivate a daily habit of self-examination.
John Wesley, credited with beginning the Methodist movement, modeled self-examination as a continuing essential for Christians. In his early years he set aside time every day for the “examination.” Later, he began the practice of setting aside each Saturday for self-examination. Finally, in his later years, he developed the habit and inner clock to pause for the first five minutes of each hour to examine the hour past.
The interior life of every person works its way out in all other aspects of daily life. To be truly effective in relationships, in work and leadership, to have integrity, we need to know and acknowledge what’s going on inside. Follow Socrates' advice in the context of God’s Word.
~ Barry Boyer
Note that the Pastor's Perspective can also
be found in The Bell.