My hero, John Fletcher, the 18th century Vicar of Madeley, was a seeker after God. His heart's desire was to press in to love Him more fully.
When I visited his grave a few years ago, I prayed, "Lord, make me a John Fletcher."
He drew up this list of questions for personal reflection at the end of the day:
1. Did I awake spiritual, and was I watchful in keeping my mind from wandering this morning when I was rising?
2. Have I this day got nearer to God in times of prayer, or have I given way to a lazy, idle spirit?
3. Has my faith been weakened by unwatchfulness or quickened by diligence this day?
4. Have I this day walked by faith and eyed God in all things?
5. Have I denied myself in all unkind words and thoughts? Have I delighted in seeing others preferred before me?
6. Have I made the most of my precious time, as far as I had light, strength, and opportunity?
7. Have I kept the issues of my heart in the means of grace, so as to profit by them?
8. What have I done this day for the souls and bodies of God’s dear saints?
9. Have I laid out anything to please myself when I might have saved the money for the cause of God?
10. Have I governed well my tongue this day, remembering that “in a multitude of words there wanteth not sin”?
11. In how many instances have I denied myself this day?
12. Do my life and conversation adorn the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Rev. Mark O. Wilson is senior pastor at Hayward Wesleyan Church in Hayward, Wisconsin.
