Taking A Look At My Life Today

It’s a useful practice to take regular inventory of our lives.  It helps us maintain spiritual, emotional, and relational health. 

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

James 1:22, 25

God has given us such a clear description for how life works and how we can have a blessed and satisfying day.  He’s told us what kind of character qualities to develop, what kinds of words and behaviours to both embrace and avoid.  When’s the last time we took a look at our lives in light of these things?

One way to keep check on ourselves is to do what some call a “spot check inventory.”  In each situation where we begin to experience things not going well, we need to pause and note what’s right and what’s wrong.  What are we feeling? What’s going on beneath the feeling?  What are we expecting?  What is God’s direction in what is going on?  Are we living the Golden Rule in this moment, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you?” 

And then to see the wider picture and figure out if we are going forwards or backwards it’s helpful to do a “daily inventory.” 

At the end of each day we talk with God about the events of our day and listen for His encouragement, His correction, and His instruction.  Where we need forgiving, we ask for and receive it from God.  Where we notice our good intentions, good thoughts, good actions, we note them and give thanks. And look what God promises us when we do this.

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

Psalm 37:23-24

Heavenly Father, we’re so glad you have a plan for our lives that brings meaning and joy.  As we move through our plans for each day and encounter some surprising circumstances. Thank You for Your promise to direct our steps and enrich our day with goodness and love each step of the way. 

As we take these spot check or daily inventories, help us to see ourselves as You see us.   Help us to rejoice in what is going well and promptly admit what needs to be confessed and changed.  Thank you for being with us in it all.  Amen

Well, why not try a “spot check inventory” or a “daily inventory” with God today and see what God brings to light for you.