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March 2013 Trinity Observer
A multicultural
success story

“How well do you know yourself?”

The average person rarely takes time out for self reflection. We are not
in the habit of sitting still at the end of the day and reflecting on what we
did, who we saw, how we behaved, why we struggled or why it happened
to be a particularly good day. What was good about the day and what
didn’t go so well? Why did that remark upset me or what made this event
so successful? Where was God in my day? Reflection is a powerful tool
which assists us in self-knowledge.  Psalm 139 reminds us to make time
for this. It states in verses 23-24; “Search me, O God, and know my
heart; test me and know my thoughts.  See if there is any wicked way in
me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” On any given day, we are all
searching for something. We are searching for answers, for love and
acceptance, for healing and wholeness, for knowledge and wisdom and
for understanding and to be understood. This scripture suggests that the
search begins with us and God.

We can’t possibly begin to know our selves without a deeper
understanding of our creator God and how God sees us. On most days,
we are unable to see what God sees because we are too busy and have
a tendency to believe what others tell us. We generally see ourselves
through the eyes of others, or based on our successes and failures. If we
practice law, then we might begin to answer the question of who we are
as... “I am a lawyer.” We might go on to say, “I am a good student and I
have a successful law practice.”  These are positive statements which
are important to acknowledge. However, according to Saint Teresa of
Avila, the awareness of our sinfulness or brokenness also speaks to us
of God, for paradoxically, our sinfulness is also a gift.  In referring to the
practice of self-reflection with God as a path to self-knowledge, Teresa
said, “The thought of one’s sins is the bread with which all palates must
be fed.”1   All of life is a gift and therefore all must be useful in helping us
arrive at a greater understanding of  the total self. In a mysterious way,
we can gain much from our evil ways if we accept that evil as part of the
truth about ourselves and offer that truth to the Lord. In other words, “I
may have a successful law practice, but I have been selfish and have not
focused on my family as I should.” Now that may be closer to the truth,
the whole truth and nothing but the truth—so help me God!

None of us are without flaw and knowing and naming both our strengths
and weaknesses will serve us well on this journey called life. In our broken
places, we come to know God’s love and acceptance. In our places of
strength, we grasp more fully how blessed we are and this should cause
us to pause and praise God. The process of knowing your truth requires
time and commitment.  It is a worthwhile journey and I pray that you
consider carving out some time to reflect on your days.

1 The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, Washington, DC: ICS
Publications, 1976, pg. 94


Blessings on the Journey,

Pastor Lawson



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