Proverbs 27:12 “The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.”   

Do not think this week’s Challenge to be gross until you read the whole message.  Why would I say this?  I have a hopefully routine colonoscopy tomorrow and today is the gross preparatory day for the examination.  I dread this day but know it is necessary to have a careful examination by a competent expert. This examination will determine if I have an unforeseen polyp or cancer that could cause a severed health crisis or even death.  Several years ago, I had a few polyps which were removed before they became cancerous and I have been clear in subsequent exams.  If one shows up tomorrow on examination, I want it removed before it becomes a problem.  I cannot self-exam or diagnose, so I need a specialized doctor to do the examination.  The whole process is not fun but required to keep my physical health secure. 

What about our spiritual health and how does a colonoscopy even relate?  We need to routinely stop and allow Jesus, the consummate physician and expert, to examine our spiritual life to see it there are some hidden sins beginning to surface.  If he finds any, we need to have him remove them just like our physician can remove a polyp from our internal physical body before it can progress into a more serious condition.  As the preparatory time for a colonoscopy seems gross and is gross, the preparatory time for our spiritual exam may also not be pleasant.  However, it is absolutely necessary for our ongoing and long-term spiritual life.  We need to routinely schedule an appointment with God for such an examination and be prudent to take action when He sees danger ahead.  Like preventive examinations and medicine are best, so are preventive spiritual examinations and actions.  Look at the suffering which can happen when the simple do not follow the prescribed formula for health and life.  Proverbs 14:15 “The prudent man gives thought to his steps.”