Since Matzah Week calls for a cleaning out of the leaven in our homes it's easy to get focused on that, and end up neglecting emotional and spiritual care in the busyness. But the point of cleaning our homes serves as a picture of what we should be doing internally. Cleaning out the fridge or cupboard let's us find what has gone bad or gotten stale, so that we can remove it before it attracts bugs or spreads it's rottenness to anything else. To make room for something fresh and wonderful. Same thing with evaluating where we are emotionally and with our faith. Get rid of the bad stuff and make room for something better.
How can we do this? Take a few minutes to honestly assess where you are right now, where you came from, and where you would like to be. The Passover season brings us back to the Israelites leaving a place of less (Egypt) and journeying to the Promised Land. Where is YHWH inviting you to if you leave behind what you've settled for? What steps can you take to get there? This time is a celebration of freedom with slaves being set free and that the sacrifice of the Messiah makes this possible for us.
I also recommend reading the story of Exodus and the accounts of the Last Supper to see what jumps out at you. I have no doubt that YHWH has much to speak to you through these parts of Scripture. How does what he is saying fit with your own journey or what steps is he asking you to take to follow him more?
The following are a few simple questions for you to help evaluate yourself. The goal is just to be honest and say what your past year (or so, you can pick how long) was like, and what you're hoping for the upcoming year. You can also do this with your spouse or your family. Pray about the state of your spiritual and emotional health, and then come up with a few doable steps you can take for more positive change in your life.
Questions to Evaluate Spiritual and Emotional Health:
How was this past year for you? What changes did you go through?
In what ways have you grown recently?
In what ways have you seen YHWH move or be faithful this past year?
Some of your favorite moments from the past year were:
What changes have you made in the past year for spiritual, physical, and emotional health?
Are there changes that YHWH is asking you to make now?
Is there an area you would like to be quicker to turn to prayer in?
The time you most often pray is:
Your favorite time to read Scripture is:
You feel closest to YHWH when:
How do you handle and cope with stress, anxiety, anger, sadness, etc.?
What are three things you do for self care?
What aspect of self care do you need to get better at?
Three things you do for joy are:
Verses you turn to for comfort include:
What are your goals and hopes for the upcoming year? Spiritual or otherwise.
I'm also including this link so you can download and print these questions, so you can contemplate them somewhere other than a device. Asking myself questions like these help me to to have a better sense of the path I have walked on and where I am headed. This is a special part of the Passover season, to remember our own personal exodus and to praise YHWH for the work he has done in our lives. I hope you find this a helpful way to prepare!
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