Examen, Part 5: Reconcile and Resolve
Revelation 3:18-20
I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
~ Jesus,
Step 5. Reconcile and resolve (with Jesus)
By this point in the EXAMEN process, you will have just finished the review. The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus. STEP 5 may look daunting, but is actually freeing, satisfying and brings hope to the heart. In this time, you share thoughts regarding your actions, attitudes, feelings and interactions. You may be led to seek forgiveness, ask for direction, share a concern, express gratitude, etc. Take notes if desired (next page). There may be action being called for. Resolve with Jesus to move forward in action where appropriate. Finish with the Lord’s Prayer or something similar.
Journal Prompt:
Observations from my heart-to-heart with Jesus:
Prayer Prompt
Thank Jesus for Your talk and thank the Holy Spirit for His help along the way. Ask the Father for strength to accept and do whatever arose through the conversation, and if you didn’t already, finish out with the Lord’s Prayer.
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 32:6-7
- Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
will not reach them. - You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Read the versus of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Teaching or Command of God
John 17:15
I’m not asking you to take them out of the world but to protect them from the evil one. (Jesus praying for his disciples in the Upper Room)
The Promise
2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful and will strengthen you and protect you against the evil one.
Pondering Point
Music is a beautiful medium for communicating messages. For the Psalmist, music is a vehicle of praise for God’s awesome deliverance. What content do you like depicted in your spiritual hymns and songs?