Scripture: “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” – Lamentations 3:40 “First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” – Matthew 7:5
Teshuvah involves facing the truth about ourselves. Not the version we present to others, but the hidden places—the motivations, patterns, and brokenness we often avoid.
Lamentations urges us to examine and test our ways. Self-examination is not for self-condemnation but for liberation. Yeshua echoed this when He taught about removing the plank from our own eye. The process of Teshuvah invites us to stop pretending, to stop performing, and to bring our true selves before God.
In Jewish tradition, cheshbon hanefesh—an accounting of the soul—is a daily and deliberate practice. During Elul, this spiritual audit is intensified. We weigh our actions, words, and thoughts. We ask: Where have I fallen short? What have I neglected? Who have I hurt?
Messianic faith adds the beautiful truth that in Yeshua, we are not left in shame. The Ruach HaKodesh helps us see what we otherwise couldn’t and leads us into freedom. With God, even painful truth is wrapped in grace.
Reflection: – What parts of yourself have you avoided examining? – Are you willing to let God show you what needs to change?
Prayer: Holy God, shine Your light into every corner of my heart. Help me not to run from the truth. May Your Spirit reveal and heal all that is broken within me. I choose to return. Amen
