A test?

I have had numerous nightmares over the years... 
Showing up at school where there was an Exam
that everyone else knew about 
except me.....! 
Auuggh. 

Somehow I always wake up feeling like I forgot something important.... :(

But what if tests were good?
What if examination actually brought out the best in me?

What if a challenge was actually a way of moving me
to a new level of Christ-likeness?

I recently heard a story about a friend who was finding it a struggle to be
kind and appropriate to someone,
when someone else in the group blurted out,

"It's a test!" (from God - to challenge your grace towards others)

My friend suddenly realized there was much more at stake
than feeling a bit irritated
-  they 'dug in', pulled hard,
and
Rose up to be kind
in a Christ-like way!

This morning I was reading in Hebrews.

The writer reminded me to
"Remember those earlier days after you had received the light,
When you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering." 10:32

A great contest.

"Endure hardship as discipline; (instruction for the mind)
God is treating you as sons (those who will be given authority and great responsibilities) 12:7

Wow.
I want that.

God,
I know You Love to move me
from Self
to
Serve

I know You have great things for me

I choose to lift my eyes

I choose to 
be examined
and be diligent
to be found approved 2 Tim 2:14,15

by You.

Yes.

PJ