Ready for a self-check?

Ready for a self-check? Do you ever find yourself tempted to embellish stories? To make your stories “more exciting” by adding extra details? Usually, we do this without any ill intent. I only became aware of it recently while writing about another “miracle message” for you, where I said: “A reader wrote to us that the daily inputs had changed her life.” As I wrote it, I realized that for the radio stations where we’re also heard daily, it would have been more accurate to say: “A listener wrote to us that the daily inputs had changed her life.” There was nothing wrong or malicious about it—but it wasn’t fully honest either. This may sound almost trivial, but this small example reminded me how important it is to remain honest even in seemingly “small” situations. Good intentions aren’t always enough. What matters more is staying true to the truth—and the truth alone. Why? Because the Bible encourages us to do so. Psalm 1:1 says: “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take…” (Psalm 1:1, NIV) Notice that key phrase: “Blessed is the one…” Take a moment for a self-check. Are you someone God calls blessed in this way? One who sticks with the truth? Or is there a quiet, unexplained sadness lingering, even when the sun is shining? Could it be that you sometimes do things you know don’t please God? That you follow paths more often taken by those who reject Him? Pay attention to that quiet voice gently correcting you today. If God does this, it’s only because He loves you (see Hebrews 12:5-6)! He wants to shape you into a person who takes responsibility—a mature Christian. And the world needs that today. It needs YOU! You are a miracle! Déborah Rosenkranz