Year-end inspection

Rob Streetman Dec. 31, 2021

my saved content

VIEW AS
A PDF

iStock

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

2021 has been a particularly chaotic year for most of us; and yes, God uses chaos for our good.

Chaos shakes things up and reveals things that do not belong in our lives (Hebrews 12:25-29).

There is no better time for an inspection than the end of this chaotic year.

God is here to help, so let's ask Him. Pray with me:

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Try me, and know my anxieties;

And see if there is any wicked way in me,

And lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24).

There are a couple of things to note in this passage before we go on. First, this passage is not saying our heart is wicked. If you have been reborn, you have a new heart, given to you by God (Ezekiel 36:26). Would He give you a wicked one?

The heart's primary function in the life of a Christian is belief unto righteousness (Romans 10:10). How does that work with a wicked heart?

On the contrary, the heart of a Christian is good and full of faith. Asking God to search and know our hearts is a request for deeper intimacy and an expression of dependency on God to keep us on the difficult, and currently chaotic, path that leads to everlasting life.

Truly, the "way in me" is the thing we must invite God to inspect. Are there ways in me that are wicked? Have I chosen my own wicked ways, or the ways of God that lead to the life He has promised?

When the world around us turns to chaos, the enemies of God attempt to drag us back to our carnal nature and its ways. As we have argued in the past, our carnal mind is the instigator of this wickedness. The Scriptures are clear:

• Resist the devil and he must flee (James 4:7).
• Jesus Christ stands between us and the influences of the world (Galatians 6:14).

The devil and the world have no more power and influence over a Christian than the Christian allows. But our carnal mind stands at the door determined to let the enemy into the camp.

Consequently, it must be resisted with the same determination. Inspection leads to the discovery, resistance, and ultimate defeat of our carnal mind.

Now, some are more practiced and disciplined than others against the carnal mind's deceptions and distractions. Even so, we all benefit from regular inspection of our ways, ensuring they are the everlasting kind. And there is no time like the present.

Inspecting our ways

Our carnal mind encourages us to respond to chaos in three "old-man" ways:

1. Arrogance says, "I've got this." Our carnal inclination is to meet chaos in the natural realm in natural ways. We forget that our battle is not again flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). It is by grace, through faith, that we are saved in the chaos and from its affects. God's grace is a terrible thing to waste. We are not as strong and resilient as we often think.

2. Presumption says, "God's got this." God does have everything under control! He is working in us to will and to do to His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13), which is to give us His kingdom (Luke 12:32). However, if the chaos has distracted us from working out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12), then we have a problem.

3. Indifference says, "It doesn't really matter." Chaos threatens to draw our attention from the most important things in life, and discourage our involvement in God's providential work. As leaders, we have the opportunity and responsibility to serve God as strong houses of refuge, encouragement, and understanding for those who have lost theirs. The writer of Hebrews warns us, "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For… how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation (vv. 1-3)?"

As the end of the year rapidly approaches, set aside adequate time with God for His inspection of your ways. You will find that doing so prepares the way for God's restoration now and in the coming year.

Exposing the tricks and traps of our carnal mind begins the process whereby God works the chaos of this year to our good, and to the good of those we love and serve. By His grace, through faith, we will come out of this inspection spiritually stronger and prepared to face the chaos of 2022 and beyond.

God bless you with wisdom, courage, and grace to overcome your carnal mind's tricks and traps.

my saved content

VIEW AS
A PDF

Rob Streetman serves the body of Christ as President of two parachurch ministries: inLight Consulting (a workplace transformation ministry) and 2:2 Collective (a unity and church growth ministry). He is the author of two books: The Map Maker and A Storm is Coming. Rob’s heart desires is to encourage, edify and equip Christian leaders as disciple-makers and transformation agents—that they would become houses that stand in the storms of this life. He previously worked in various IT industry positions. Learn More »

• When preaching solutions, do these two things first (by Mark MacDonald)
• How smartphones have been used toward a torrent of cyberbullying (by Thom Rainer)
• How to bless before you blame in a conflict at work (by Jordan Raynor)
• How to combine passion and discipline for leadership impact (by Scott Cochrane)

Free eBook

Steps to Launching Your Personal Workplace Ministry

Have you ever felt the pull to full-time ministry work as a missionary or pastor? If not, you can still make a Kingdom impact without quitting your current job. In this eBook, you will learn the four essentials that can change your perspective of work, your workplace, and most importantly, your heart.

Download Now