I’ve been recovering from a cold that just seems to linger. I’m just about over it which is a great relief. This weekend my son had a Boy Scout Camporee in Atascadero where several troops camp out and compete in throwing tomahawks (not at each other :-), rope rescue, orienteering, stretcher relays, and nature identification. My daughter finished her last regular season of FFA veterinarian science competition. Her team has done really well and will go to the state finals. What did I do this weekend? Well, I put the energy I had into yard work. Woohoo. Our ivy, weeds, and trees have grown wild with the rain. After cutting, chopping, weeding, and whacking I had piles of shrubbery rivaling the pyramids of Egypt. As I sawed limb after limb to fit into five large green waste bins I thought about the value of tests. Considering how I was feeling I didn’t want to work on the yard, but I did it anyway.
It’s good to test yourself. Never be afraid to do hard things. In fact, pushing your comfort zone, your limits, testing your mental resolve and your abilities should be a regular part of your life. It’s healthy. That’s what I’ll share with my students after Easter break when we have state testing. Even if they don’t see value in the test itself, there is still value in the process of testing.
Testing yourself and doing hard things strengthens your character. It can toughen you mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It shows you your weaknesses and spotlights what you don’t know. It prepares you for future experiences. It allows you to practice performing under pressure. Two of the greatest benefits of testing are that it can bring you closer to God and it can help you assist others when they undergo similar trials.
We should fill our lives with experiences that build our relationship with God rather than waste our lives on activities which pull us away from God. Testing is worthwhile because it drives us into the arms of God to rely on his strength, perseverance, and wisdom. Staying with what is comfortable, easy, expedient, or self-centered doesn’t help us grow with God.
Easter proclaims the value of testing. For the joy of seeing people saved Jesus endured the ultimate test of sacrificing his innocent life for us (Hebrews 12:1-3). No one took Jesus’ life. He gave it up on his own (John 10:17-19). This was planned before the world began (1 Peter 1:18-21). As the perfect, humble, obedient, loving son Jesus carried out his father’s will (Philippians 2:5-11; John 17:1-5). In an olive garden outside of Jerusalem before he was falsely arrested and crucified, Jesus was under unbelievable pressure, so much so that he even sweat blood. He pleaded with God for some other way. In his humanity he wanted a way out, yet he surrendered his desire and yielded his will to his father’s. God sent an angel to strengthen him, for not only would he be beaten beyond recognition, completely abandoned and betrayed, forsaken and utterly alone, he would also take upon himself the wrath of God for the rebellious sin of the world (Matthew 26:38-45; Luke 22:40-46; 2 Corinthians 5:21). We cannot fathom the depth of his difficulty and pain.
When Jesus cried out from the cross, “It is finished” he passed the test. On the cross he bore all the evil of the world and paid our life debt (Colossians 2:13-15). When he arose from the dead he conquered death and Satan. Consequently, they no longer have power over those who trust and obey Jesus. Testing should move us toward God and enable us to empathize and encourage others. At Easter Jesus made it through the greatest trial by relying on his father and utilizing the test to benefit others. Because Jesus lives, all who believe in him also live (John 14:19-21, 3:16, 6:40).
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). He not only shows us what is good and right, but he enables us to joyfully do it.
So don’t be afraid to do hard things. Don’t avoid counting the cost and doing the right thing in a world system which prides itself in pushing against God, running from him, or slandering him–calling good evil and evil good. You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength (Philippians 4:13). In fact, God’s power is at work through our weakness. When we yield to him, he graciously fights for us (2 Corinthians 12:9). Jesus warned but encouraged his followers that they would be tested, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). When testing comes, embrace it in faith–putting your hope, loyalty, trust, and obedience in Jesus.