The Prodigal Son : Lesson on Self Examination

The Prodigal Son : Lesson on Self Examination

"Judging others is too often escapism dressed in the garb of righteous indignation, whereby I dutifully point out in others that which I probably should be pointing out in myself.” ― Craig D. Lounsbrough

Self examination! Hmmm!!! If you judge yourself, then there will probably be no need for someone else to judge you...hmm. Self examination is viewing ones action critically through an imaginary  microscopic lens by oneself. It is taking a step aside to reflect on ones actions and asking oneself some questions : what is going on? how did this happen? what's the way forward? how can this be resolved? how can this be avoided?  what did I really do? What did I set out to do? What worked? What went wrong ? And so on...those questions that one can ask oneself to kind of put oneself on the hot seat * smiles * it is like self policing if you like *smh* 

As a child, I enjoyed the story of the prodigal son from the bible. Lately, as I reflected on the story once more, I realised it was a typical example of self examination. I have dropped a few verses of the parable of the prodigal son here...let's enjoy it please .

Luke 15 from verse 11( king James Version) 

11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

*exhales* so the younger son took his share of his father's wealth and went on to foolishly lavish it without saving for the rainy days in summary. But that's the best of it I guess as we now have an opportunity to learn from his wonderful experience *smiles*. After spending all his resources, he met with suffering and literally had a one on one encounter with hardship! However, in the midst of all these, he didn't allow his present condition to overshadow his mind, his sense of reasoning and his problem solving attitude. He was able to sit back and talk to himself. He actually reflected upon his life as he faced reality and approached the matter rationally without pride as he admitted his mistakes with every element of humility at work.  

What a guy! So, after what he just did to his dad, he still has the guts to resolve to go back to his father...wow! In the end, he went back and was ready for the worse! What a courageous guy! I admire him!  

However, it was self examination that made him realise that even servants in his father's house were doing better than he was doing at the time . His sense of reasoning allowed him to weigh the advantages and disadvantages...and he was able to make that final decision and had the courage to follow through. Now, that's what self examination can do for you! Yes, you and me of course!  People can advise you, but you can also advise yourself and in the end, it is You who have the power to accept anything someone has said or implement what you have resolved to do. 

Remember, you have to be sincere with yourself and put away pride in this process of self examination for it to be truly worth it.   

Finally I close with these ; “For the wise have always known that no one can make much of his life until self-searching has become a regular habit, until he is able to admit and accept what he finds, and until he patiently and persistently tries to correct what is wrong. – Bill W.” and “The only way to make a spoilt machine work again is to break it down, work on its inner system and fix it again. Screw out the bolts of your life, examine and work on yourself, fix your life again and get going.” ― Israelmore Ayivor

Please , let us practise self examination even as we go about our activities for the rest of week. Please, remember to subscribe, share and comment on the blog . Remember to send in your stories at mygpland@gmail.com.  

signing out 

Gpland