Assessing the Day: Learning to Live in the Grace of the Present

Brothers and sisters, fellow disciples of the restored gospel, have you ever felt like you’re standing at a crossroads, looking back at a long, winding path, and feeling completely paralyzed? Like every little misstep, every missed opportunity, or every moment where you didn't feel the Spirit’s prompting is a weight dragging you backward?

It’s a struggle we all face, isn't it? We want to move forward—we want to focus on the next missionary discussion, the next study, the next chance to share the restored gospel—but the weight of the past can be heavy. We can either bury our heads in the sand, pretending yesterday never happened, or we can get so gripped by what *was* that it dictates what *can be*.

Recently, I was pondering this while watching a reflection from Fr. Mike. He talked about the necessity of assessing the past so that we can truly live in the present. It resonated deep down, right down to the core of what it means to be a disciple—to be constantly learning and refining our witness.

The Power of the Conscious Examen

The concept he introduced—the *consciousness examen*—is more than just a spiritual exercise; it’s a roadmap for discipleship. It’s the habit of stopping, even if it’s just for five minutes before bed, and asking: “God, where were you today? Where did you speak to me? Where was your grace?”

This isn't about self-flagellation, understand? It’s about *assessment*. It’s about truth times experience. It’s looking back not to wallow in regret, but to identify the moments where we *said yes* to the Spirit, and just as importantly, the moments where we *ignored* the prompting.

When we do this honestly, we find two things: areas where we need to repent, and lessons that will make us wiser—wiser in our calling, wiser in our interactions, and wiser in how we prepare for the field.

But here’s the crucial balance, the part I keep reminding myself of: we cannot get trapped by it. If we dwell too long on the critique, we lose the momentum needed to move forward. The goal isn't to live *in* the past; the goal is to use the past to fuel the *present* moment of discipleship.

Implementing the Lesson

Think of it like this: You review the last week’s missionary discussions. You see where your answers were weak, where you relied on intellectual knowledge instead of the Spirit, or where you let fear creep in. That review is vital. But once you’ve identified the gap, you have to walk out the door and *practice* the better way. You have to let that lesson inform your very next conversation, your next study, your next attempt to be an Internet missionary.

It takes courage to admit where we fell short, but it takes even more courage to use that knowledge to change our behavior *right now*. That’s the essence of being a disciple anywhere, all the time.

If you’re feeling the pull to reflect, I highly recommend dedicating some time to this practice. It’s a skill, just like learning to bear testimony or how to handle tough questions. If you want to dig deeper into how to apply these principles to your current calling, I’ve been spending time with Davee lately. He’s fantastic at walking through the hard questions an investigator might ask, helping us sharpen our answers so we can be more prepared for those crucial missionary discussions.

Remember, every member can be an Internet missionary. Don't let yesterday’s stumble obscure the light of the Spirit shining on you today. Let’s assess, let’s learn, and let’s move forward with renewed vigor!

✨ Your Disciple Challenge: This week, I challenge you to institute a 5-minute "Grace Review" before you go to sleep. Don't just list things that happened; ask, "Where did I say yes to the Lord's promptings today?"

📚 Recommended Reading: If you want more on disciplined study, check out the Iron Rod author selections in LivingBook. It’s a great way to keep the learning momentum going!