Self Examination

The Greek Philosopher Plato said; “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

As I’ve been passing through this season of engagement, and not yet married, I’ve taken much time for self examination.  Thus far in my life I’ve done a lot of things that I’m proud of… and some I’m not. Yet all those experiences have defined who I am today. I’m thankful for these essential experiences.  

I’ve tried to live my life with no regrets, though there are some things I would do over if I had the chance, like getting my University degree in five years rather than four. (I rushed to get through school only to finish and have no idea what I wanted to do with my life.) Being less critical of people. I was quick to point fingers but forgot to look at myself.

Yet, I can’t help but ask, “have I done enough, is there more I could have done, is there more I should be doing?” Self examination…    

Dr. Anthony Campolo tells about a sociological study in which fifty people over the age of ninety-five were asked one question: “If you could live your life over again, what would you do differently?” It was an open-ended question, and a multiplicity of answers constantly reemerged and dominated the results of the study. These three answers were:

• If I had it to do over again, I would reflect more.
• If I had it to do over again, I would risk more.
• If I had it to do over again, I would do more things that would live on after I am dead. *

The wisdom in these statements is life shifting, at least for me. We encounter many forks in the road and have to make a choice, hoping the path we take is the better one. But, many of our decisions, it seems, are made so blindly, with little or no information. Mostly, we just follow what seems to be the majority, in the processes, seeking the favor of man.

“For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not bea bond-servant of Christ.” Gal. 1:10

There is much humility in examining ourselves. Because when we look deep enough, we find subtle, and not so subtle, flaws and have to consider; am I willing to change. The first step to change, admitting the flaw.

Dr. Campolo’s findings make me wonder what my life would look like if I spent more time reflecting, took more risks and focused my life on doing things that would live on after I’m no longer in this world.

As I continue to look at my life, pulling out my flaws, I too want to reach the end of my life not having many things, if any, that I would do differently.

The biggest gift we have ever been given is the ability to live life, this life. We only have one lifetime to live, lets make the most of it! 

* J.C. Maxwell (Developing the Leader Within You)