MOT

I've been thinking about my car's MOT today and about how important it is for our vehicles to have regular 'check-ups', to make sure that they are safe and reliable and roadworthy.

 

In the same way, it's important for us to give ourselves regular 'MOT's too. 

 

We need time and space to examine our hearts and our minds and to see what state they are really in.

 

So often, we rush through life meeting deadlines and completing projects and we don't give ourselves any time at all to stop and reflect on what's going on in our lives.

 

We need to take time to reflect on what has happened in our lives and what we've learnt and how we've changed and grown.  We need time to consider how our skills and gifts have grown and to question how we've been using and developing them.  We need time to reflect on what God has been showing us and how He has been shaping us.  We need time to look into our hearts and see what's there.  And sometimes, we need time to attend to what we find there.

 

The Bible tells us to

      

        "Keep vigilant watch over your heart;
        that’s where life starts."

 

        [Proverbs 4:23 MSG]

 

Our hearts are the driving forces behind our lives: they reveal our deepest desires and direct our actions.

 

If the heart is where life starts, we need to be aware of what's going on there.  We need to be aware of jealousy or bitterness or resentment.  We need to be aware of disappointments and desires and dreams.

 

We need to make sure that we give ourselves time to reflect on the state of our hearts and to act on what we find.

 

We need a regular, honest, purposeful MOT.