“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” Lamentations 3:40 NIV
Our middle child is currently studying to be a nurse. In that faculty, as with most, the students have text books for reading and research, lab classes that need to be completed, hands on work and learning that are performed in their clinical sessions, and of course tests.
Our daughter could read all the books recommended, complete the number of labs required, and participate in all the compulsory clinical sessions, but without having the tests, she would never know the progress in her learning and the areas she needs to improve upon.
In the above verse, the prophet is encouraging us to examine our ways – to search for and know the sins in our lives that need correcting. When we examine our ways, we are judging our steps and our conduct, not our intentions and our wishes. The real measuring stick is when we consider all aspects of our lives – our thoughts, words, and actions and line them up to that of the Lord’s commands.
Like a student in class, we need to study all that we can in order to receive the passing grade. But unlike a student, our course does not end until we take our last breath. Our hearts must go with our prayers. If our inward impressions do not align with our outward expressions, we mock God, and deceive ourselves.
May we test our ways, render our hearts, and return to the Lord.
Lock Your Wings 
Good analogy!
This stood out for me: “I cry out, “My splendor is gone! Everything I had hoped for from the Lord is lost!”
I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss.”
Lamentations 3:18, 20 NLT
Today we heard a message that related God’s working to a dot to dot picture. Our disappointment and our frustration from our slow progression from step to step doesn’t reveal the whole picture. We can get frustrated with God for not revealing the picture to us. The things we believed were important we may grieve but grief is temporary as is our time here on earth. We should focus on the eternal and not the pain of the process to get there.
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