How to Pass a Test

Tests come in all sorts of shapes and sizes - true or false, multiple- choice, essay or even demonstrations.  The nature of it may vary but each type requires knowledge of the material in order to pass.   

An elderly man recently accepted Jesus as his Savior and was baptized at church.  Afterward, he shared a few words with the congregation. He wanted everyone to know that he was leaving 88 years behind him and that no matter how old you were, it was never too late. Delayed as it was, he’d finally learned Truth.  

In college, my favorite professor gave a combination multiple-choice essay test. You’d answer the multiple choice question but then have to explain why your choice was correct. When you chose the wrong answer,  the essay portion allowed you to explain your position and often-times gain credit for your answer. Strategically, she scored the test in such a way that the value of the multiple choice answers were just enough to fail. You had to be able to explain your answer to make a passing grade.

When the end comes, we will each have one last test to take. It won’t be multiple-choice nor will credit be given for a good explanation of an incorrect answer. There will simply be one true or false question. Is Jesus your personal Savior? Those that can answer yes will pass and live an eternity in joy while those that fail will live an eternity in misery.

The elderly man will now be able to pass his final exam but only because someone cared enough to share the right answer with him. His caretaker loved him enough to speak to him of Truth. I don’t want to pass my test while knowing that others will fail because I didn’t do what I could.   

The idea of witnessing to strangers can be intimidating. We are not all called outright to be evangelists or preachers but each of us is called to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading us to share the Truth. When the opportunity comes- be it a stranger or someone we have a relationship with- I pray we'll each have the courage to provide whatever level of tutoring is needed in that moment so that they, too, can achieve a passing grade.

Message for the Journey:

There are many test we experience while on earth, but none is as critical to pass as the final exam we'll each face when we stand in front of heaven's gates. Only one answer will gain entrance into an eternity of joy instead of one of misery. Let's not be afraid to be tutors to those who don't yet have the knowledge to be able to join us in passing. Whether it be through relationship or words, may we each heed the Spirit's leading to share the Good News with the world.

©AnnWilds2012

And he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.”    

Mark 16:15  

 

 

3 Steps to Accessing the Power of Perseverance

A record breaking, long-distance swimmer, she slipped into the water from the shore of the Catalina Islands intent on setting another mark. Her target was to be the first to swim all the way to the coast of California. She was strong, trained and confident; flanked by a team of safety boats prepared to offer protection should a shark come near or she was injured. She made steady progress for fifteen grueling hours, until a thick fog set in. The inability to see what lay ahead, combined with her exhaustion, caused doubt to creep in. Yet, with encouragement from her mother, riding in one of the boats, she pressed on for another full hour until finally she asked to be pulled from the water. Without her vision, she was convinced she was too far away to achieve the goal. What she found, as she sat in the boat, was that she was just one mile short of her intended destination.

Like Florence Chadwick in 1956, we, too, will experience unforeseen difficulties and setbacks along our way.  When we lose our vision, it’s easy to fall prey to inner doubts. Perseverance- the resolve to press on toward the goal- is the power that fuels victory.  So how can we access it when challenges arise?

1.      Prepare in Advance. Florence didn’t just decide one day she could swim long distances. She developed her stamina, nourished her health and practiced daily. As believers we need to do the same. Nourish your body with healthy living but more importantly nourish your soul with daily time in the Word and personal communion with God. A heart invested with scripture, in strong relationship with the Creator, is able to push through adversity.

2.     Surround yourself with a support group. When she took to the ocean, Florence was flanked by safety boats and loved ones to watch over her and encourage her. God didn’t intend us to walk through life alone. While it’s easy to withdraw from people when challenges strike, it isn’t wise to do so. Florence was able to swim a full hour longer than she thought because of the encouragement she received from her mother. The encouragement of Christian friends and family can help you press on past where you would alone.

3.     Trust the path you are on- What Florence lacked at the end was vision. In life, there are often times when we cannot see with our own eyes. Florence had only herself to rely upon. But as believers, we need not rely on our own vision; we can rely-especially in the midst of difficulties and loss we can’t understand- on God’s perfect vision. Even when you can’t see the next step, as long as you remain on God’s path, you can be certain of making it safely through. God watches over you and nothing can cloud His view.  

Message for the Journey:

Don’t give up when you are unable to see the shore. Trust that God will see you safely to the other side. While we are unable to see, because the fog of humanity clouds our vision, God sees all things. Whatever difficulty you’re facing, persevere—press on in faith. He will see you through. 

Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.  Hebrews 10:36

©AnnWilds2012

Learning How to Dance in Step

The cheerleaders lined up across the gym floor and took their positions. As they waited to begin, my mothering eyes could tell that some of them were apprehensive about the new dance routine they'd just learned. Would they remember the steps? There was no time left to wonder. The music started and as one they began to move.

                   

Life is a dance but the style of dance is ours to choose. We take an earthly approach when we choose—like dancers in a nightclub—to do our own thing. Some go all out moving to the beat with every part of their body, while others simply sway in place. Each dancer is different because they each move in whatever way feels good to them.  As a result, it is difficult to tell if anyone is out of step.

But on the cheer squad’s half time dance it is clearly obvious when someone is out of step. There is no way to hide imperfections and inconsistencies when working to move as one.  

So it is in the Christian determined to move in step with the Spirit. In that dance, it is easier to recognize areas of sin, for life in step with the Holy Spirit is evident in the fruit within us and our lives—love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, kindness, self-control, faithfulness, and patience. Where any of these are lacking, there is sin. We are out of step with Him and back in step with the world which follows the desires of self—and seeks to justify the antithesis of His fruit.

When I was in high school, I once danced with my friend’s eighty year old grandfather. I worried about trying to follow him in a dance I didn’t know. Imagine my surprise when he took me in his arms and led me effortlessly around the floor. He was an incredible dancer and never did I think about what to do. In his hands I was secure as we twirled and moved fluidly, in and out of the other dancers, with skill and finesse.

When we actively seek God, our gifted dance partner is the Holy Spirit. When we let Him lead, He smoothly guides us around the dance floor of life, directing us around barriers and keeping us safe from falls. It is when we take the lead, we falter out of step.

Message for the Journey:

Each of us is a dancer on the dance floor of life. We can choose to move in whatever way feels good to us or we can accept the offer to have the Holy Spirit as our dance partner. When we follow His lead we remain in step with God’s purpose for our lives moving beautifully along the promenade.  

Happy Dancing!

                                                                                                               ©AnnWilds2012

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 

Gal 5:25

How to Avoid Traffic Problems

A team was on a job site adding a lane to an existing road. It had been a long project but finally they were ready to pour the concrete.  The orange construction barrels were out as they had been for weeks. The concrete trucks were on hand and the workers productive as they spread the concrete to a finished surface. They were making good progress, and with the weather cooperating the completed sections were setting up and beginning to harden.  

They’d just finished pouring the final driveway when an impatient driver made a critical mistake. He decided to disregard the warning signs and proceed on his own. He ignored the equipment and the workers and whipped out of traffic. He drove around the barricades and onto the new concrete. He didn’t notice a problem right away. But as he continued to travel down the newly poured lane, he realized something was definitely wrong. His car began to sink, slowly at first as he continued to move forward. But then he made a fatal mistake. He sought to escape the mess he was in by changing his course. But once again, his choice was disastrous. He turned right into the freshly poured driveway. I can only imagine the thoughts going through his mind as he felt his car, and him with it, sink into the oozing, wet concrete, trapped by his poor choices.

How often in life are we like that driver? Instead of waiting for God’s perfect timing, we grow impatient. We believe we can navigate our own course well. Unable to see the bigger picture, the better future that God is planning, we focus instead on the immediate situation at hand and begin to doubt. We turn from His path to what we believe to be a better way, often ignoring the signs warning of trouble ahead.

God’s ways are not our ways and it’s rare that we get a glimpse of His bigger picture. We often don’t understand the reason for the trouble we encounter on the roadways of life. The good news is that we don’t need to. God’s promise remains true. When we follow His purpose, trusting in Him, He will make all things work for good for those who love Him. No matter the circumstances, God’s character remains the same.  Although we may not witness the final outcome we can trust that it will be righteous.

Message for the Journey:

When we encounter troubles on the roadway of life—road blocks, traffic jams and construction—we may be tempted to climb into the driver’s seat and make our own decisions apart from God.  Let’s remember that there are dangers only He can see. What may seem a delay or blockage to us may in fact be a blessing in disguise. Hold on to the promise given in Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”  If we do, we will be certain to stay out of the mire.

©AnnWilds2012

(editted from 2010 post)