Take Inventory
My career as a flight attendant has taught me to thoroughly take inventory before each work trip, (often times at the last minute). Nonetheless, I would make sure that I was equipped with everything I’d possibly need for my commute to New York and my working flights. This included clothes for my layovers, books for my downtime, laptop, toiletries and bunch of things that you’d find in the bag of a germaphobe. My purpose in all of this was to be sure I had what was essential for my journey, while also eliminating anything that served no major purpose. When I think of this process, it reminds me of how we should exercise the same concept in our spiritual lives. Constantly taking inventory of our heart and ensuring that we’re equipped with all that’s needed on our temporary trip here in this world.
A great way to take inventory of our heart is to examine our thoughts as well as our prayer life. Ultimately, what’s in our heart will be found in our thoughts and prayers, eventually seeping out into our words and actions. Because Jesus said that our true home is the Kingdom of God and not the kingdom of this world; do we prepare ourselves daily, ridding ourselves of what serves no eternal purposes and packing what’s required for living a life of godliness? After all, God did say that He has given us everything we need for living a life of godliness (2 Peter 1:3). The question is.. Are we utilizing it? When we go out as light, into this foreign dark world; are we praying, asking God to help us reflect Him? In the car and on the job, are we interceding for others? When we pass by those who are considered “the least” by society, do we see them the way that God does? How about our thoughts? Are they self-centered? In knowing that the end times are near, what are the most prioritized desires of our hearts? If it compromises our relationship with God, I pray we never receive it until we first get what we need. So that when it comes to pass, we’d be women He could trust with it for His glory. Not for self glorification.
I love that Jesus is in business of hearing our desires yet responding by granting us with what we actually need. We see this in the account of the paralyzed man, whose four friends had enough faith to lower him on a mat, down through the roof of where Jesus was teaching. It’s pretty obvious that their biggest desire was for their physically impaired friend to be healed and they had no shame in making in known to Jesus, as they interrupted His teaching in the home full of intent listeners. I absolutely adore the faith of this man’s friends! Jesus comended it too. In fact, He allowed the interruption and acknowledged them “When He saw their [active] faith [springing from confidence in Him]..” -Mark 2:5a
But pay attention to what happens next. Mark 2:5b AMP records, “He said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
They sought Jesus for the man’s physical need but Jesus responded to his spiritual need first. I say “first”, because He does end up healing the man’s paralyzation too. But what good would a pair of healthy legs be, if the heart is still contaminated with unrepentant sin? What would be the purpose of having working limbs if not used for the glory of God? It’s not extra. We can understand that it’s our whole life’s purpose; to live, move and have our being in Him(Acts 17:28). Not in a perfect way but an intentional one. Our spiritual state means much more to Jesus than our physical one. What a loving God. That He sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us (Romans 8:34). That even the Holy Spirit, takes our prayers and translates them properly to align with God’s will (Romans 8:26). Yes, while most of us did have some praying grandma’s -who could pray heaven down; let’s not get it twisted; Jesus and the Holy Spirit never stops praying on our behalf!
It’s not always easy to admit, but once we shift our perspective and get honest; we’d find that our inner man needs to be dealt with way more than any outward thing we’re believing for. If left up to us, we’d get the healing, the promotion, relationship, finances and after our initial gratitude wears off; we’d go to using it for self glory. Essentially we’d mismanage it. But for our sake, God develops us first so that the thing we so desire would be for both our good and His glory. And it all starts in our heart.
Sister-girl, don’t be discouraged if when you take inventory of your heart, you find some cringy things there. Ten times out of ten, we will find some contaminations there. It’s all a part of the sanctification process, where we are being transformed into the image of Christ daily. Each and every single last one of us. However, now that we are more aware; we can ask God to pack up our hearts with all the things that we need for right living and discard all that serves no purpose, as we get closer and closer to our final destination. A place of no sadness or pain, many mansions and nonstop communion with our King. In the meantime, let’s make use of all the good that’s packed in our spiritual suitcases! May we determine use them for God’s glory in this temporary home so that through us and His power; others will be added to join us in our Eternal home… All because we took inventory!
Let’s Pray:
O loving God, how intentional You are. Thank You, Lord for knowing what’s best for me. Lord, sometimes I don’t understand what You’re doing in my life but in spite of that, help me to remember it’s working in the unseen realm for my good. Before I come to You asking for the things, I ask Lord, that You’d search me. Take inventory of my heart and rearrange what You find for Your glory. Discard all that don’t serve the Kingdom of light and help me to exude what does. Work in my heart and mind. Destroy every God-oppossing way and forgive me for it. Align my heart’s desires with Yours. Transform me to be a women who is worthy of all You have for me. Protect me from the spirit of compromise and anything that would cause me to mismanage Your blessings. As I wait, develop me inside, out. May I live in this temporary home, honoring You and pointing others to You, until I reach my glorious, final destination. I trust You and I need You, God Almighty. In Jesus’s name, amen.
