TIME FOR SELF APRRAISAL

In the secular world particularly in large corporations, at the end of each year especially the financial year, they engage in self appraisal exercises to ascertain if their goals for the year were achieved. The process of self appraisal involves asking probing questions and fact finding. At the end of every self appraisal exercise, the areas of weaknesses and strength will be exposed and the board will decide on the way forward which may include training, re training, redeployment, increasing staff strength and retrenchment in extreme cases. The overriding purpose of every self appraisal exercise is to ensure that the vision is preserved and the goals aimed at achieving the vision are met.

Looking at our opening text vividly, apostle enjoined that we do a self appraisal of our lives. It is not a bad idea to conduct a self appraisal exercise for ourselves. The first aspect of our lives that requires a self appraisal is our spiritual lives. There are questions we need to ask ourselves before crossing into the new year. Apostle Paul said we should examine ourselves whether we are still in the faith. If it is impossible to abandon the faith and backslide, Paul wouldn't have made such a statement. That's a scripture to consider for those who say a believer cannot depart from the faith. Are you still on the narrow path where you started your Christian journey or you're drifting between the alley of broad and narrow way? How regular is your prayer communion? Are you studying your bible regularly or you read it to mark register? What about church attendance? Is Sunday your only day in church during week? Do you still cherish mid week services or you think they're for over zealous brethren? Do you still fast or you wait till when your pastor declare a fast? What about evangelism? Do you still preach the Gospel to sinners and support missions in prayer and finances? The list goes on and on.

Socrates said, "The unexamined life is not worth living". Don't cross into the new year without examining your life in the current year thoroughly. It is a waste of time and energy shouting "happy new" only to continue with a routine that has made your life stagnant in the current year. If you make progress in your finances and career at the expense of your spiritual life, you've not made the progress heaven required of you. You must sincerely answer the questions raised in this devotional and other questions the Holy Spirit may lay in your heart before saying goodbye to this year. Write out your answers and score yourself. Anywhere you fail, ask God to forgive you and ask for grace to do better next year. Also, draw an action plan to remedy those areas where you failed this year. Take responsibility for your life and don't give excuses. That's the way to grow.