Renew - Some Thoughts for a New Year
- Jeff Lawrence
- Jan 7, 2008
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When we started the new year with several days of rain, I was excited along with the rest of North Carolina, which had experienced drought throughout 2007. You could almost sense the Earth breathe a sigh of relief as the water-starved region was being renewed. This was especially clear to me one morning as we made the turn into 2008.
I woke to see the dawn sun shooting bullets of light through the Winter trees. As I sat up, I noticed fog wrapping itself around the tree trunks and nighttime rain lingering in the morning light.
I rose and headed for the backyard, grabbing my camera along the way and hoping to capture a God-moment in a photo (I've shared a few with you here). Outside, everything was wet. Dripping rain. Moist fog-air. Even the sun seemed to highlight water droplets on leaves. I thought about the drought, and I smiled as I realized the rain was renewing the earth. It seemed like the right way to start the year.
Like the earth needs renewal, we each need renewal as well. As I begin a new year, I've made it a practice to work through some sort of spiritual reflection. It's not very unique, really. Almost everyone I know takes an inventory of their life and makes resolutions for how it can be better. It just makes sense for followers of Jesus to attempt a spiritually-oriented assessment.
I thought I'd share with you one discipline from the history of the church. It's called the Examen (you may prefer to call it a review). The examen is the practice of spiritual discernment and reflection in our lives - physical, emotional, and spiritual. Through this exercise, we attempt to discover where and how God is present or revealed in our experiences. This is often done on a daily or weekly basis. As an introduction to this spiritual practice, this material will help you to examine and review 2007.
I've found that writing out my answers helps me to process my thoughts more thoroughly and more honestly. So, you may want to print this page or copy it to a place that's comfortable for you. May God give you insight into your soul as you reflect, and may you be renewed as you seek Him in the process.
Spiritual Examen/Review
Scripture
"Examine me, O Lord, and try me; test my mind and my heart. For Your lovingkindness is before me, and I have walked in Your truth."
Psalm 26:2-3
A Beginning Word
"Although we cannot always preserve our recollection, yet we must do so from time to time, and at least once a day, earlier in the morning or in the evening. In the morning, form your intention, and at night, examine your conduct, what you have done, said, and thought during the day, for in each of these you may have often offended both God and your neighbor."
- Thomas á Kempis
Items for review and examination of 2007:
My high points were...
God answered my prayer for...
One thing I have learned that I do not want to forget it...
My most satisfying experience of serving another was...
My hard times were...
I still need God to bring resolution to...
Response
Give Thanks: As you think back on your answers to the previous questions, give thanks to God for His faithfulness to you.
Ask: Ask God to help you walk through the unresolved circumstances or valleys you are still living in. Ask Him to bring you peace. Exercise your faith by trusting that God desires to give you strength for the journey of life.
Confess: As you have thought about 2007, there may be sin you need to confess or relationships you need to mend. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring them to your mind.
Worship: In response to all God has done for you, for the high points and the hard times, for the circumstances in your life that still need to be resolved, worship God. Give him glory for who He is. Give Him glory for His grace and faithfulness to you. Give Him glory as the one true God over all.
"The heavens will praise your wonders, O Lord;
Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones.
For who in the skies is comparable to the Lord?
Who among the sons of the mighty is like the Lord?
A God greatly feared in the council of the holy one,
And awesome about all those who are around Him?
O Lord God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty Lord?
Your faithfulness also surrounds You."
Psalm 89:5-8
