“This report, by its very length, defends itself against the risk of being read.” ~ Winston Churchill
This is the time of year for reports, it seems. Almost two months ago, I made my annual report to the parish regarding our financial status. While the report at the pulpit might have been a bit short (or long, depending upon the view of the listener), there was a more lengthy report printed in the Sunday bulletin. It gave many different views of our finances from our budget to percentages of giving.
A couple of weeks ago, I went to Fort Wayne for our annual Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre conference. At that conference, we hear many reports, even from the Patriarch of Jerusalem, on how our contributions are being used throughout the Holy Land.
Last week, the First Quarter of the school year ended and our students received reports of their own and will be make accounts of themselves and their behavior in and out of the classroom. Periodic academic reports help to “keep one honest”.
We make reports of ourselves at work whenever we have job evaluations performed by our supervisors. Sometimes we sputter as we attempt to put ourselves in the best light possible.
Reports are a part of our life. That is probably a good thing because it gets us all ready for that “ultimate report” that we will have to make at the end of our lives when we face Jesus. St. Paul wrote that we will all have to give an accounting of ourselves to the Lord. That might make some people nervous.
God, the just judge, is going to have us give an account of ourselves. It does not matter how long or how short it is. It does not matter if it comes with pie charts and bar graphs. It does not matter if it is in color or black and white. Because, as soon as we make our report, the Lord will put His light on it and the truth will show through. Hopefully, the Lord will see good in our lives, in our words, and in our deeds.
If there is not much good to report, we just might want to get busy changing our ways!
FAITH ACTION: In prayer today, try to make an accurate report to the Lord of the manner in which you are living your life. Note the areas that you need to change and make a plan for doing so.