Test! Grades! GPA! High school and college days – I hated taking tests. I remember how challenging some of the material was for me to break down and understand. Many times it seemed like an endless nightmare. Maybe testing comes easy to you, but for me not so much. 

Well…I found out early in the onset of my career that those tests don’t end. I liked the independence of working, but with every new job came training, and if that wasn’t enough we did more yearly training. 

This is where I learned how to study better and I also learned that I needed to pick work I really enjoyed or was called to do, because I understood I was going to keep learning. Who wants to study something that they dislike or hate?

When I fell in love with God, I found myself wanting to learn His ways, I couldn’t put the Bible down. 

Similarly, your faith in God should cause you to want to learn Him, follow Him, and study Him. The tests are coming anyway, and we will always have something we can learn or work on. 

Just as with your schooling or professional training, studying takes time and diligence. Showing up to a new job because you liked the salary or title isn’t enough. You will be tested in the evidence of your work performance or you may be tested through the challenges that come your way. 

You can’t cheat your way through life and you can’t impersonate someone else while doing your job or taking your test. 

While your work doesn’t earn you salvation – 

James 2:14-17 NASB 14 What use is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 In the same way, faith also, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself

James 1:2-3 NASB 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness

Deuteronomy 8:2 NASB 2 And you shall remember all the way which the Lord your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, in order to humble you, putting you to the test, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.

We are forever disciples! We are always learning from our Teacher. 

Activity:

In this current season of your life – 

Do you think you’re in a test?

Did you just come out of a test?

Are you ready for your next test?

Try to spend time with God and ask Him these questions. Ask Him to give you the ability to discern the season you are in right now. 

Prayer Challenge:

Father God, life is short, but it is meaningful when I connect my life to You. Please help me to know what season I am in at this moment. Help me to understand the lesson(s) You are giving me. I may not know or understand everything from Your perspective, but please help to learn and grow, and pass whatever test You send my way.

Scriptures:

Jeremiah 17:10 NASB

10 I, the Lord, search the heart,

I test the mind,

To give to each person according to his ways,

According to the results of his deeds.