Search Me O God

 Whether you are involved in the corporate world, the political world, the church, or your own humble family, if you are old enough to brush your own teeth, you can probably relate to what I am about to say,... if you dare.

You’ve probably noticed that we earth dwellers have been endowed with the remarkable ability to pin point areas of weakness in the lives of others. By much patience and practice, we have learned to sharpen our focus on the ills of our peers, or the “powers that be,” without ever turning the gaze of scrutiny upon ourselves. The problem, we say, with the corporate administration, the government of our nation, the fellowship of our church or family, is the person in the next cubical, office, pew or bedroom respectively. If they would just get their act together, wake up and smell the coffee, look at things the way they really are, take a hint, pay attention, get with it, get out of the way, and listen to what I have to say... things would run more smoothly.

 But what is it that keeps us from digging in our own lives for the root source of those problems that menace our mission? We shrink at the question, “Could I be consummately wrong?” ... perish the thought!

 Please pardon my sarcasm, but doesn’t it all sound vaguely familiar? I must confess, I am indeed made of the same stuff that I have described. It is all too easy to see the faults of others. Perhaps there’s something about me, some weakness that you have noticed, but I will not.

 Lately, I’m reminded of the words of the Psalmist, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Ps. 139:23-24).”
Lord, forgive me for I am weak. Grant that I might understand the “measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ,” and that my first comparison to it, might be of my own puny frame as I stand amazed in His presence. Amen