Inspired Introspection

Upon the announcement of the death of philopher Truman G. Madsen, I was introduced to a little fairly unknown work of his: The Sacrament: Feasting at the Lord's Table. The Sacrament is basically a collection of short "stand alone" essays discussing all aspects of the holy ordinance.

And I've spent nearly every Sunday for the past several months, reading and studying an essay during the administration of the sacrament.

It's helped me focus.
It's helped me worship.
It's helped me change.

And after today's essay, I better understand why.

From the essay entitled "Inspired Introspection":
In his sacrament--and in all of the other ordinances--the Lord gives us glimpses of ourselves. In self-examination we are most blessed when we begin to see ourselves as we are seen by him and know ourselves as we are known by him (D&C 76:94). Knowledge of the Savior and self-knowledge flow together. "Let a man examine himself," Paul counseled (1 Corinthians 11:28)...

One might expect a study of the Savior might make one more aware of one's failings and shortcomings.
And this has.
But, instead of that having a negative impact on me, it's helped me feel more connected to He who can help me overcome both.

And that connection has deepened my resolve to be better.
It's strengthened my commitment to change.
It's given me a peace and security and confidence I'm not sure I've known before.

I'm seeing myself differently because I'm seeing Him differently.
And one of the things I'm seeing is how He sees me.

Inspired Introspection.