Taking The Test
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24
One of my primary focuses has been personal accountability. It is crucial for me to embody the qualities that not only align with the values I believe are pleasing to God but also reflect the upbringing provided by my parents. Along those lines, I prefer to look inward to determine if I am meeting the standards God has set before me. Think of it like being in school and we are given a test. We study thinking we know the subject matter, but it only after we are given the test and graded that we know whether we have passed or need study more for later tests.
As Christian It is often important to examine our own views and review them to see how closely they align with Biblical teachings. That would seem to be straightforward, but if it were simple, life would not be such a challenge. However, challenges are not necessarily indicative of failure to follow God. Instead, they serve as tests, similar to the concept found in the proverb, “As Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17) While this speaks of individuals, situations and events provide an additional level of sharpening of our faith. They test our faith and confidence in God to see if we will falter or be strengthened. It is in these moments where we can look back and hold ourselves to account as to how faithful or representative of Jesus Christ we truly were.
Tests are ways for us to assess where we are in our walk of faith. I came across today’s verse in listening to a sermon a week or so ago. This prayer of David serves as a reminder for us to continually evaluate how we are applying the principles and teaching of Jesus Christ. It aligns with a teaching from Matthew that says, “How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” (Matthew 7:4-5) While this primarily addresses the issue of not judging others, it also calls for self-accountability before we attempt to correct others. This is very easy to understand yet challenging to practice. That is where our prayer is that we are able to pass the tests that God puts before us. Additionally, if we fail these tests, they should serve as learning experiences to help us improve for future situations. Thus, spiritual growth occurs, which is a fundamental aspect of our journey of faith. It is not about never stumbling. It is about picking ourselves up and becoming better individuals for a God who loves us so.
Tests provide a way to assess our progress in various aspects of life. Today's discussion was inspired by a verse mentioned in a recent sermon I listened to. This reflection., “How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? First remove the log in your own eye; then you will see clearly to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” (Matthew 7:4-5). This concept is straightforward yet. Therefore, it is important to strive to meet the tests and challenges we encounter. Through this process, personal growth occurs.
We were never meant to be perfect. Hebrews 12:2 says, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” This should be a reminder that our goal is to stive to be like Christ. Not to be Him. Thus, reflection is simply a way to honestly look at where we are and hold ourselves to account to whether we have shown growth or figure out a way to do better. Let us be people who are willing to embrace the tests that God puts before us and trust in His ability to lead us down a righteous path. How do I currently hold myself accountable to the values and teachings I believe in? How do I typically react when I fail a test or challenge in my spiritual journey, and what can I learn from these experiences? What steps can I take to trust in God's guidance as I face future challenges and tests? My prayer is we embrace God’s willingness to test us and bring awareness when we fall short of the grade. Amen.