Evaluation: Painful But Necessary

Evaluation: Painful But Necessary!

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

After a good week of directing the Bible camp, we thought it safe to ask the staff of counselors and teachers for an evaluation. Although we didn’t consciously think of it in this way at the time, it’s obvious now that we were looking for praise and approval rather than true evaluation. So, when openness and honesty prevailed and the effectiveness of plans, programs and activities were examined in the light of God’s Word, our smugness was shattered: little praise, some criticism, many areas for improvement.

That’s why I hate evaluation! When it really happens, all my little ruts, pet peeves (often masked as convictions) and neat plans are held up to the light in a most shocking manner. It’s painful! It’s also necessary.

David, no stranger to sin and failure in his life, practiced evaluation. He wrote the verses quoted above. He also wrote, “I have considered my ways and have turned my feet to Your statutes” (Ps. 119:59 NIV).

God’s Word, God’s presence, God’s complete knowledge, unmasking my ways, my thoughts, my motives – and exposing my sin. That’s evaluation. It hurts.

But it’s a good hurt, if it produces the same effects in me that it did in David. Looking within just long enough to recognize his shortcomings and needs, he then turned to God’s Word for correction. Pity the poor man who continues to evaluate when it’s time to change and move on. He soon becomes occupied with diseases rather than cures. We must look in just long enough to look up and then move on.

By Grant Steidl