This week is like the culminating event, the grand finale for most of my
fellow high school teachers in the school system where I teach. This is the
time where our students are taking the state mandated high-stakes tests, End Of Course Tests (EOCT). It is nerve
racking and causes a bit of anxiety for most. For an entire year we have taught
students based on a set of standards. We have planned activities, assigned
projects and administered tests. You name it, we have done it with the goal of
preparing our students to be successful on “The
Test”. It hasn’t been easy and some days it felt like we were teaching to
ourselves. But the time is upon us where our “beloved” students face the test, proving that they have learned
what they should have. It is interesting how all of our hard-work , our late
nights, our extensive planning all comes down to one test. Some say it is not fair and many are
protesting this whole process, but for now that’s the way it is.
I was thinking about this issue yesterday while proctoring one of the
tests. I watched students work so diligently on trying to do their best and I
even watched others who unfortunately looked as if they were reading a test in
a totally different language. No matter if they looked or felt prepared or not,
the time was at hand. The test was upon them. I guess that’s just like it is in
our walk with Christ. All of our prayer time, our studying of the scriptures,
our worship really comes to the forefront when we face the tests of life. Ready
or not, these tests will come in every season of life and it is at those times
that we apply “what we have learned”
to our situation in order to make it through. There are those who would rather
go through life and exempt all the tests, but I believe just like the state
tests my students take, the tests of life do have their purpose.
- If
you never had a test of your finances where you have needed God to meet your
need, how can you truly understand that God will supply all your needs
according to His riches in glory.
- If
you have never faced a test in the form of an obstacle or a mountain, how would
you know that you can speak to the mountain and say, be thou removed?
- If
you’ve never been tested in the “fire” , how will you know that our God is a
deliverer, or will make a way out of no way?
Tests are inevitable in life but they are not without a purpose, whether
they are actual pen and paper tests or tests of our faith. My mom used to say “It is the time when the rubber meets the
road”. I refer to it as a time when what you say with your mouth is
demonstrated by your actions. It all comes down to the tests of life. How will you come out?
will
you fail only to find out that that you will face it again?
Personally, I have never liked to fail any test so my goal is to face
them and give it my best shot. I have been in study mode and I must use what He
has given me so that I will earn a passing grade. I will apply His Word, take
His promises at face value and stand even when all else around me is sinking
sand. I declare this day that this test nor the ones that will come in the
future will not cause me to give up on Him! I hope and pray that you will do
the same.
My brothers and sisters, be
very happy when you are tested in different ways. You know that such testing of
your faith produces endurance. James
1:2-3
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