Robert Murray M’Cheyne: What’s Your Introspection-to-Jesus Ratio?
I can’t remember if I’ve posted this great quote before from Robert Murray M’Cheyne which guards us against too much introspection and too little Jesus:
“For one look at yourself, take ten looks at Christ.”
If I’m honest with all of you, I have to say that I do have a 1 to 10 ratio going. However, I have it backwards. For every ten looks I take at myself, I take one look at Christ. I’m a fool, thinking that lengthy periods of introspection produce change, rather than lengthy periods of reflection on my Savior. I’m excited to change my looking habits.
What’s your introspection-to-Jesus ratio?
This is an excellent point. Along these same lines, I something Edwards said about introspection and assurance of salvation is important:
“And although self-examination be a duty of great use and importance, and by no means to be neglected, yet it is not the principal means by which the saints do get satisfaction of their good estate. Assurance of salvation is not to be obtained so much by self-examination as by action.” Jonathan Edwards, The Religious Affections (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1746; reprint, 1997), 123, emphasis his.
My ratio is bad as well. Although I have to say I’ve grown a habit during tough times to think of the Lord first. Not as much as I’d like but enough for there to be a pattern. Praise God!
I think the self help generation really fuels this type of thinking. Everything from personal development gurus, to live strong bracelets, to Oprah. Like the quote Chris posted, there’s nothing wrong with it except it has become many people’s “Rock”.
When self introspection is your rock for growth and worth it’s frick’in exhausting. Not to mentioned doomed.
So determining my introspection-to-Jesus ratio is my one look at myself and now must reflect on Jesus ten times.
So I have a question for the forum: what are some practical ways to look at/reflect on Jesus? What does that look like?
I used this same quote earlier this wee with a group of people I teaching about “Preaching the Gospel to Yourself”. I quoted him as a confession of how I try to identify my underlying idols, thinking that this introspection is what brings about change. By doing this, I think that I can bring about change in my own heart rather than Christ. It’s ironic that even in preaching the gospel to myself I overemphasize self-reflection and underemphasize the cross. Our hearts are truly idol-factories.
Seth, good question. Two things that I find helpful:
1) Soaking in the Scriptures in the morning time so that throughout the day my mind and heart are more likely to fall back upon what I learned about Christ in my morning reading.
2) When I catch myself doing purposeless, unhelpful introspection, letting that be a trigger to re-direct my thoughts to the person and work of Jesus.
Nate, ya, I too have to be careful of not spending endless time on an “idol hunt,” rather than reflecting on Jesus.
This is way helpful/encouraging to me.
Seth,
I have a suggestion. The Lord has been teaching me a lot about looking at Jesus in terms of the work place. When I’m not at work, I’m often times thinking about it or discussing it with my wife.
It’s been revolutionary for me to look at Christ by remembering He is my ultimate boss, not my earthly one. He gives me my ultimate performance review… (am I working hard for Him, ethical, thankful and representing Him well). Whenever I start to look at my own job performance/ability and seek validation from my co-workers/bosses I remember my Lord who b/c of Jesus does not withhold his treasures from me.
Much like money, I’m realizing a good way to test how much the validation of your bosses has a hold on you is to lose some. Do you feel shaken? Under-appreciated? Zapped? I do… but recently looking at Christ who safe guards our portion has made me less anxious about “getting mine”.
Hope that helps.
