As Christians, we need to pause and look, and ask God for the ancient paths, which gives rest for our souls. I suggest here a simple framework for a 4-minute, 4-step daily contemplative reflection or examen. You can do it at the end of each day. Or you can do it along with your quiet time after you read the Word and when you pray. You can use the same method to reflect on the week or month.
- Rest in God’s presence.
- Relish and give thanks for what happened in the day.
- Recognise failings.
- Resolve to live tomorrow well.
Rest
Rest in God’s presence.
Psalm 139 tells us that God is always present in our lives. It is we who are not aware of His presence most of the time.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10.
So we must, pause, be still and rest in God’s presence.
Find a comfortable place and posture (not too comfortable to fall asleep!). Breathe slowly. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to rest in His presence.
Then pray the last 2 verses of Psalm 139:
“23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” – Psalm 139:23-24.
Relish
Relish and give thanks.
Now review every hour of the day. Dwell on the significant moments.
Consider what moments you can be grateful for. Thank God for them. Relish in them. It could be a meal with a friend, a good work meeting, strength to sustain you through the long day, wisdom which helped you with a work assignment, time at small group.
Consider also the big general things you can be grateful for. Like good health, the gift of life, your job, your family, your marriage.
Recognise
Recognise failings.
Next, ask the Holy Spirit to show you the moments when you have failed in big ways or small ways. E.g. you threw a tantrum, you made an unkind remark, you looked at a person lustfully, you participated in gossip, you failed to be proactive about sharing about God when you could. Or you made a mistake at work, or was careless about someone’s things.
Take a sobering look at the failings.
Ask God for forgiveness of sins.
Ask God for help to learn from your mistakes.
Ask God for wisdom as to how you can better handle such moments in the future.
Resolve
Resolve to live tomorrow well.
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how tomorrow might look like.
Imagine the things you will be doing, the people you will be meeting.
Pray and ask God for help to see you through tomorrow, help to learn from your failings today, help to be a good witness to the people around you.
Then you can go have a peaceful sleep.