Good morning family and friends. God has a way of getting our attention. We have to learn how to recognize when it is God and not the trick of the enemy. But discernment comes from God. Make a difference in someone’s life today.
Being a student in college, it is a fact of life that you’re going to be given tests. There are essay tests, true and false tests, multiple choice and fill in the blank tests. I have reached the point where I know which teachers would give what kind of tests – and I study accordingly. This is not an easy thing to do being an online student. Because you never really meet your instructor and they constantly change. I’ve even had one change after classes had begun. But, the purpose of the tests is to find out how much I (and others in class) had learned. But, for the most part, they are never fun. They are just looked at as a part of college life. But the tests don’t just begin or stop there.
We all are enrolled in “Real Life 101.” Or, “Bump In the Road Reality.” We often get the impression that when we belong to God, the road will be smooth. Kind of like getting in our car and driving down a highway with no obstacles in sight. But in reality, life with God is often more like the roads we encounter throughout life…..road work, detours, and delays that drive us to distraction. That’s because God tests us. The purpose of tests is to show the instructor what the student has learned. But in this case, the instructor is God… He already knows what is in our hearts. Therefore, His tests are different because they are intended to help us know where we are in our walk with God. They are a teaching tool from God to shape our personality.
Now, we need to understand that every believer is going to go through these tests. God cares enough for our personal walk with Him that, periodically, these tests are going to challenge us. And how we respond to the challenge determines whether we pass or fail. Sometimes we fail. Sometimes we make the wrong decisions. Take heart, many of God’s people have made bad decisions and fallen short on their test. It’s nothing new. And if you feel like this is you, you haven’t been the first one and you definitely won’t be the last. Failing God’s tests are rarely fatal. God simply brings along another test to challenge our faith and nudge us closer to trusting Him.
This nudge to get closer to God comes with many different test throughout life. There is the transformation test, the character test, the persistence test, the crisis test, the friend test, and the empathy test. These are just a few more of my test but they’re not the tip of the iceberg. I’m sure that you could list quite a few here also. Tests are one of God’s tools to shape our faith and challenge our tendency to just “get by” in our walk with Him. These tests are not a rejection of our love and faith, but instead, a way to help us know how much He really does love and care for us. Interestingly, the word “Testimony” begins with the word “Test.” I don’t believe that’s accidental. Our testimonies are often the result of our having gone through difficult times that have “tested” our faith and our trust in God. What makes testimonies so powerful is that they often reflect – not only that we passed the test – but that God showed His love and His mercy in the midst of the storm, your test!
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed.” 2 Corinthians 13:5-7
Live life, give people hope, share your heart, wisdom, and resources. Never place a period where God says there should be a comma.
As always peace and blessings, be safe. Remember God loves you and so do I. ©krw 2.4.16
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