In the busyness of our daily lives, it’s easy to lose sight of our deeper purpose of becoming more and more like Jesus. Without even realizing it, we often get swept away by the currents of routine, leaving us to stagnate in our walk with the Lord. Paul advises us in 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV) to “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” This verse speaks into the importance of looking within, scrutinizing our conduct, engaging in self-examination and taking stock of our spiritual wellbeing.
it is in those quiet moments of Holy-Spirit-guided-introspection that our faith deepens…
There is much to be gained by pausing and making time to reflect on our thoughts, actions and motivations. When we do this prayerfully, the Holy Spirit helps us identify specific areas of our lives that need attention. When we examine our thoughts, words and actions through the lens of God’s Word, we often see spaces of inconsistency that need to change. As we meditate on God’s Word and His teachings, we grow in wisdom, compassion, and love, progressively becoming more like Jesus. It is important to make time to reflect, for it is in those quiet moments of Holy-Spirit-guided-introspection that our faith deepens, our character is refined, and our walk with Christ is enriched leaving us to bear the image of Jesus more faithfully. Reflection also helps us in recalibrating our compass, ensuring that we maintain intentionality in our direction and our goals. As such, purposeful moments of reflection hold tremendous power, as they have the potential to shape the upcoming week.
Below are some thoughts to prayerfully ponder in the presence of the Lord at the start the new week:
Reflecting on the week that has passed by:
- What spiritual victories have I experienced this week?
- What blessings have I experienced and have I acknowledged God’s goodness in this?
- In what ways did I perceive God’s presence or hear His voice day to day?
- What valuable lessons can I take away from this week?
- Are there any unGodly habits, attitudes, or thought patterns that need to be surrendered to the Lord?
- Where might I have utilized my time less effectively or unwisely?
- Did I demonstrate good stewardship of my finances?
- What circumstances triggered worry or anxiety, and how can I surrender these concerns to God?
Preparing for the week ahead:
- What are my priorities and intentions for the upcoming week? Do these goals align with God’s Word and His purposes for my life?
- How can I cultivate a heart of thankfulness and a spirit of gratitude this week?
- What areas of my life (including marriage, family, relationships, work etc) need God’s guidance, intervention and transformation?
- How can I serve and love others this week? Who can I intentionally serve? How can I be a blessing to someone else in a way that will honour God?
- How will I intentionally make time for spiritual nourishment? Have I set time aside for prayer, Bible study, and quiet reflection to deepen my relationship with God and draw strength for the challenges of the week?
- Which Scripture can I hold on to, drawing strength and direction from it during the upcoming days?