THE CASE FOR INTROSPECTION

There is a commercial for a local hospital on television for a 3-D mammogram.  Standing in a tight group are several nurses and they begin to talk about the special test they have which peels back the layers of tissue looking for the hidden cancer cells which might be lurking inside.  As the commercial continues the women begin to leave the group until all you see is the one woman with a pink smock instead of white.  They are demonstrating how the test slowly peels back the layers until the hidden enemy is found.  What a great concept to explain how the test finds the unwelcome cells.   I found this similar commercial on YouTube.



Until you begin to peel back the layers, you have no idea what is compromising the cells contained within the patient.  Layer after layer must be exposed and examined when trying to determine the wellness of the body.

Recently I read an article about dying to self and began to search for how we manage to do this.  After mulling it over, I decided until we know who we are and why, it would be difficult to leave our old self behind and become a new creature in Christ.  Our third week of our Small Group study addresses the heart and soul of who we are.  The four parts of the soul are:

the mind-your thoughts
will- your ambitions
emotion- your feelings
conscience-your moral compass

"When Scripture speaks of your heart, it's referring to the intersection of these four internal characteristics.  The heart is the centerpiece of the soul." Priscilla Shirer  The very essence of who we are not physically but the all important "What's on the inside."

We must begin to peel the layers back of who we are based upon all the external factors which have influenced us to understand what we are trying to leave behind.  As if we are peeling back the layers of an onion, we must slowly expose each and every layer to understand the whole.  Until we have exposed all the worldly influences which have impacted our beliefs and behaviors, how are we to change?  How are we to begin our journey of sanctification?   A good friend often says, "We need to get free of all of that!"

Thus the need for my months of introspection.  Without realizing why, I knew I needed to discover who I was.  I have dug deep and made discoveries that helped pull the pieces of the puzzle together.  Understanding my actions and reactions has come with my discovery of the inner workings.  Until I understand the one I am leaving behind, how will I truly put on my new self in Christ?  My heart yearns to know Him in a deeper and more intimate way.  How better to begin than to understand where I am starting from and what I need to turn away from.  

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:21