Put ourselves to the test.

How do we know if we are improving or if we are ready to take the next step? Well, we need to put ourselves to the test. That is how it works at school, university and even in the work place. We need to be examined and if we 'pass' the test, then we know we have met the standard and then we can move on.

However, I am not entirely comfortable with this analogy in a spiritual sense. Yes, I need to
be examined and I need to be reminded of God's ways, but I am not always sure that I 'move' up a grade in my spiritual life. Sometimes it is as if I keep going back to square one and I realise that some of the lessons I should remember, I have forgotten.

This is why I need God's grace on a daily basis and I believe that I will need to be reminded to keep turning back to God's gift of Life.

"Instead, let us test and examine our ways.
    Let us turn back to the Lord.
⁴¹ Let us lift our hearts and hands
    to God in heaven and say,
⁴² “We have sinned and rebelled,    and you have not forgiven us." - Lamentations 3:40-42

2 Corinthians 8:2 -  They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.

Lent is a wonderful opportunity to 'test myself' against the character of Jesus.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Exam stress

Man alive, exams are stressful .... and I am not even writing any this year!
When your kids and students write exams you end up soaking up all their stress - by the end of the week I will feel as if I have been through the mill and back. And that is only when my marking will start!!

I keep trying to reason with my students/kids that the role of the examiner is NOT to try and see you crash and burn, but rather to see how much you have applied yourself to the work and to see if you have done the preparation!

It never looks good on a Lecturer's record if it looks like this - 35 students wrote the exam and 35 students failed! It makes the lecturer look like a failure too. Obviously, teachers can't give their students the answers before hand, but we do try and prepare and assist students to do the best they can. If the work has been learnt and covered, then usually the tests will be fine.

So, how can we relate this to God and faith?

Well, when God allows us to go through a time of trial and testing, it is not to take delight in our failure, but rather to see how much we have 'learnt' to put our trust in Him. God could remove all obstacles out our way, but it would not help us in the long run. Admittedly there are a few 'tests' I would rather not be facing at the moment, but we don't get to choose which ones we will face.

So, if you are in the middle of exams or facing a testing time, then remember that God is with you.

1 Thessalonians 3:13 - "... so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them."

Luke22:28 - "You are those who have stood by me in my trials."

Living in Grace
D3LM3