Examen & Reflecting God’s Image
This practice was offered as a companion to July 19th’s sermon “Creating Space”.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:13-21 we see how the destination of our lives is the culmination of simple everyday decisions. These simple decisions allow us to create space for the flourishing of others, personal renewal and intimacy with God.
In order to press in and reflect on how this applies in our lives, we are going to walk through the practice of examen. Examen allows us to identify where the voice and activity of God shows up throughout our day and attends to where we might have missed his presence and reflecting his image in the busyness. During the practice we pay attention to strong feelings and emotions, interactions, and times of praise, prayer and thanksgiving over the course of the day and allow this examination to become part of our ongoing prayers and deepening of our intimacy with God.
Replay: What happened today?
To start replay the day in your mind. Take a few minutes to notice where in the past 24 hours you did not reflect God’s image or where you failed to rejoice, pray and give thanks. This could be a time you lacked patience, failed to encourage a coworker, or was unkind to a neighbor.
Reflect: How could I better reflect God’s image to others? Where could I have created space to rejoice, pray and give thanks to God?
Focus on one particular situation and identify the strongest feeling you had regarding that situation. Was your reaction brought on by complacency, laziness, pride, or doubt? The purpose of this step is to identify the root of your reaction.
Repent: Pray and ask God to change your heart and actions to be more reflective of who he calls you to be.
Share that situation and reaction with Jesus. Be honest with him about the root of your feelings and ask him to work to change your heart and actions to be more reflective of who he calls you to be. As you reflect on your day more and turn to God, you are deepening your intimacy with him.
Resolve: Commit to live differently tomorrow by creating space for the flourishing of others, personal renewal and intimacy with God.
Thank God for his presence and for helping you grow in creating space for the flourishing of others, personal renewal and intimacy with Him.
