Recently it was evaluation time for me at my place of employment. Well…you know how it is when someone tells you that you are about to have an evaluation! Suddenly your mind starts going and you think of all the things you have done to mess up here and there. Well, my evaluation went great. So, I was wondering today “what if we were evaluated in our spiritual lives?” What if Jesus appeared to us and said “ok! Time for your evaluation…come have a seat.” Ok, don’t give up on me now reader….work with me…I promise this is going somewhere. So we go in, we sit down, and Jesus starts reading off categories to us. We may have things such as:
1. Works. Do you do work for the Kingdom of God? Do you make an effort to spread the word, teach a Sunday School class or even work in the nursery? Though we can’t be saved by works, work is necessary to spread the word.
2. Attendance. Do you attend church regularly? Or are your “too tired” on Sunday to get up?
3. Forgive. Ok…here were go, this is a good one. We want everyone to forgive us when we do something wrong. However, we are quick to judge another. That’s the exact opposite of what Christ tells us to do.
4. Love. Here’s another one. Do we love not only the easy to love but also the unlovely? Do you love the homeless person on the street? Do you love the person who was rude to you on the phone or in a store? We are called to love all people…just as Jesus did.
5. Tithe and Offering. This is a category I don’t talk about often. Why? Because to me this is between each person and God. I don’t need to know what you give and you don’t need to know what I give. However, we are all called to give. Period.
6. Prayer. Do you pray only when you need something? I often tell our youth to pray for several minutes without asking for anything for yourself. Pray for others or just praise. Praise Him for who He is and all He has done. Speaking of Praise…
7. Praise and Worship. Do you do it? It doesn’t matter if you can sing….He loves it anyway. It doesn’t matter if you get up in front of people…just do it. It will make a huge difference in your life.
These are just a few categories that could be evaluated in the Christian’s life. I evaluated myself. I need some improvement in several areas….all of us do. But take heart! All those little “mess ups” that we all remember….He has already forgiven if He is Lord of your life!
So…evaluate yourself and be empowered to go out, do more, and be more for the Kingdom!
Love to all!
