The Road Devotional | Lent 2024

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love: according to your great compassion, blot out my transgressions.” Psalm 51:1

“When we feel ’searched and known’ by a gracious God, we are both moved and enabled to search our own hearts honestly. Self-examination, Confession, and Awareness do not call us to self-hatred or self-condemnation; they open the door of our heart to cleansing, renewal, and peace.” Marjorie Thompson, Soul Feast

There are two basic truths in the healthy spiritual practice of self-examination:

AWARENESS: God utterly loves us. This is the most profound and central affirmation of our Bible.

CONFESSION: There is an apparent brokenness in our relationship to God, others, and our world. 

Our Confession: We can neither earn God’s love, nor achieve our own security or perfection. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.

“Self-examination is not an invitation to psychoanalysis, problem solving, self-lecturing, or ego absorption. The whole point of self-examination is to become more centered in God by observing the moments when we are or are not so... Self-examination is an opportunity to discover the problematic parts of your own attitudes and choices. A true spirit of confession actually increases authentic self acceptance and love.” Marjorie Thompson, Soul Feast

Daily Examine:
This tool of discernment simply asks: “Am I moving towards or away from God?”

Journaling:
Develop a practice of daily or routine writing, capturing thoughts, faith moments, and relationships. Use this tool to grow in your contemplative awareness.

Life Review:
Focus on specific aspects of your life, take inventory, for example: Fears, Resentments, Emotional Security, Material Security, Social Acceptance, Sexuality, Faith, Fulfillment, Service.

What are your attitudes, behaviors, character weaknessnes? What are the effects on your relationship with others? With God? What personal strengths did you bring to a circumstance or relationship? What positive characteristics, traits, attitudes developed in you as a result?

Write down your observations. Wonder about connections between life seasons, events, patterns, etc....