Self Awareness

The people I hang with like to say that evangelism and discipleship are "getting to know someone personally, finding out where they are spiritually, and helping them take the next step." I think this definition is ingenious because it emphasizes progression/growth but is not a one size fits all approach. It allows for customization for the individual and is also communal.

If I'm going to put myself in step 2 (finding out where I am spiritually), it seems to me that being self aware is of utmost importance. By self awareness, I mean the act of objectively looking at one's self to determine the state of affairs for a given area of life. It is the getting an outside perspective instead of just looking through life through our own set of glasses. It is, to continue the spectacle metaphor, to get a different set of glasses by which we view ourselves.

To move forward, spiritually, emotionally, psychologically, or physically, one must first realize where they are. It does no good to do something that is not helpful. Yet that is what many people do. I've known of people who spend their entire lives in an emotional or spiritual rut because they've never taken the time to evaluate their own position in life. The result has been incredible frustration and a destructive lifestyle that is harmful the the person him/herself as well as others. However much effort given, these people continue to spiral downward because of a simple fact that they don't know where they are or that there even is a scale to be plotted on. Before they can move forward, they must first get an idea of where/what they are. Only then can they know what to do next.

Father, help us to embrace the counsel of other people who love You and love us. Guide our hearts to be humble and receptive to direction and correction, in order that we might continue to be more like Jesus as the days, years and decades go by. Let our posture be that of brokenness so that we can be useful in Your hands.