Inspect

Inspect: look at someone or something closely, typically to assess their condition or to discover any shortcomings; examine someone or something to ensure they reach an official standard

When in prayer about what the Word of the Week should be, I received this word: inspect. 

Before this word came to mind, I’d been suggesting things like dream and imagine to God. I was looking for something positive to encourage us in this scary and confusing time.

But instead I got inspect. 

When I looked up the meaning, I realized it directly lined up with something I had read during a Bible study that had really stuck out to me.

The passage of scripture that stuck out to me was 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. This passage was titled “The Need for Self-Discipline.”

The passage says this: 

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”

I read this and thought wow.

This is a message we all need to hear right now.

It is in times like this that we need to stand tall and be the safe refuge people can run to. We need to be the hope and the light. 

This is a time we can bring the hope of Jesus to others.

But so many of us aren’t. So many of us are struggling ourselves.

Why? I think a lot of times it comes down to a need of self-discipline.

We aren’t using self-discipline in our daily lives to continue to seek God, read His Word, and grow closer to Him. 

We’re growing lax and complacent.

But now is the time we need to inspect ourselves. 

We need to look at ourselves closely, assess our condition, and discover our own shortcomings. 

And then we need to work on them. We need to put ourselves into “strict training.”

We need to examine ourselves and ensure we reach the “standard” as God’s children.

We need to “run in such a way as to get the prize.”

Now is not the time to fall away, to let the worries of the world steamroll over you. It is not the time to be swayed or grow complacent.

Now is the time to move forward, grow closer. Now is the time, people.

“Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”

Like this passage said, we can not afford to run our race aimlessly.

If you’ve found yourself falling into this, it’s time to acknowledge that and start running with purpose once again.

Inspect yourself today. Discover your shortcomings. Put in the work and the effort. And run your race with purpose again.

You’ve got this.

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Maddisen Sauls is the smile and voice behind the Everyday Joy blog as well as the author of the Word of the Week posts and the editor of by leaps and bounds. Throughout her life, Maddisen has worked as a reporter for small town newspapers, a School Age and Preschool teacher, and has acquired her ministerial license. 

An avid book reader and lover of the written word, Maddisen is passionate about using her favorite medium to reach the lost and the hurting, and to offer encouragement and hope to those struggling through life. 

Following her battle with depression, Maddisen has made it her mission to help other people through this journey and to bring joy to the lives of the people around her. 

You can find Maddisen on Instagram @maddisen.paige