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An Opportunity for Reflection and Self Examination

One of the benefits of illness is the time it affords us for reflection and self-examination. The demands of responsibilities and the attractiveness of hobbies, entertainment, travel and friendship can, mostly unwittingly, distract us from the essential business of personal self-examination.

Most of us find it easier to reflect on the faults of others or society (failing to remember that that is simply a collective noun for people like us). Of course, this is far easier to do, but far less productive, than thoughtful self-reflection. Sometimes, and understandably so, we simply don’t want to look too closely into our own hearts. We are only too conscious that there is some fairly significant mess there that shames us.

The purpose of self examination, just like a good spring clean or flush out of the drains or engine, is to enable us to look at ourselves honestly and take whatever action is required to find a sense of real peace.

C.S. Lewis wrote in the Problem of Pain, “We have a strange illusion that mere time cancels sin. I have heard others, and I have heard myself, recounting cruelties and falsehoods committed in boyhood as if they were no concern of the present speakers, and even with laughter. But mere time does nothing either to the fact or to the guilt of a sin. The guilt is washed out not by time but by repentance and the blood of Christ.”

Wonderfully, God has made provision for our sin which is the fundamental reason for our guilt and shame. The Scottish theologian William Barclay said “that the greatest disservice any man can do to a fellow man is to make him think lightly of sin.” This is very wise advice, which in the interests of our health and community life, we do well to heed.

All the evidence of lack of self-control and personal responsibility, so endemic amongst us, along with unresolved guilt and bitterness, reminds us that our unwillingness to take our sin seriously isn’t working.

Mercifully, there is a better way. It is expressed so clearly and powerfully in the children’s chorus people used to sing: “There’s a way back to God from the dark paths of sin; There’s a door that is open and you may go in; At Calvary’s cross is where you begin; When you come as a sinner to Jesus.” These words wonderfully reflect the gracious invitation of Jesus, “Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” How good is that!