Change Something, Change Myself

In review of Lamentations 3:40 it says, “Let us examine our ways and turn back to the Lord.”

Bottom Line:

We should think about our ways, ask for forgiveness and turn again to the Lord.

What this means to me:

I should really look at and examine my ways and the way I’m living. Then change from it and turn back to the Lord.

In this life I can’t change everything around me, but I can change myself. When life feels like it's falling apart, knowing what I can and can’t change will make a big difference.

I should keep in mind that I can’t change the past or my immediate family. I won’t be able to change the gifts and talents God has or hasn't given me. And I won’t be able to change a handicap I’ve been given.

So given this I might as well accept all of those things. In doing so, I can find peace in the midst of troubles accepting that which I can’t change. Failure to do this will only make myself and the others around me miserable.

There’s much I can’t change, but there’s something important I can change: myself.

Amongst everything that was going on in his life and with his people Jeremiah writes in Lamentations 3:40: “Let us examine our ways and turn back to the Lord” (GNT).

This verse reminds me that I should consider what’s going on in life that doesn't line up with what God wants. Depending on how I react, a crises can help me learn to focus my eyes on what matters: Jesus.

To reorder my life God’s way, will take some real gut-level self-evaluation. I’ll need to do an inventory of every area of my life. Looking closely at my relationship with God, my spouse, my daughter, and my co-workers. I’ll need to look at hurts, habits, and hang-ups that may be bringing me down. Nothing should be off limits.

What I’m realizing is that it will be impossible to find healing otherwise. Healing apart from repentance won’t last. When it seems the world is falling apart, I’ll be tempted to express discontent at every area of life, which would be a waste of time. I’ll need to remember that I can’t change everything around me, but I can change myself.

As I think about this, I believe one area of my life that I can change right now to make a positive impact on myself and others is to not let the external details and concerns of life, our upcoming move, and changes at work drain on me. These often get me side-tracked from what’s really important. What is important for me is to do what I know I need to do, put God’s Kingdom and his priority first above everything else. I may also consider who I can ask to help peer into my life and ask me the hard questions about my priorities, relationships, and secret sins so that I can take a valid spiritual inventory of  my life.