Tests and Quizzes
How big are the tests you must endure? Are they big, life threatening tests, or tiny, no-big-deal quizzes?
My child, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for testing. Set your heart right and be steadfast, and do not be impetuous in time of calamity. Cling to him and do not depart, so that your last days may be prosperous. Accept whatever befalls you, and in times of humiliation be patient. For gold is tested in the fire, and those found acceptable, in the furnace of humiliation. Trust in him, and he will help you; make your ways straight, and hope in him. - Sirach 2:1-6
In today's reading, we hear that we should prepare ourselves to be tested.
When I think of being tested, I think of school where the teacher prepared the tests, and I assume all tests come from God who seeks to teach us to be better children.
But this isn't school, and Sirach is telling us that God plays a different role when we are tested. He is the one who helps us through the difficult challenges we encounter.
He tells us how to prepare for testing, how to be humble and patient and to set our hearts right.
So, do I just accept what comes and not fight it?
I think that is the point of the message. Often we find ourselves at odds with our faith, believing in God and trusting in Him, but feeling we must do something ourselves.
This is the hard part of the test, being patient when most afraid, accepting help and being open to what comes.
We will always find ourselves suspended somewhere between total surrender to God's will and fully in command of our own fate, as if that is even possible.
We need to take responsibility and that often means going it alone.
So, that, I believe, is the test, the challenge to move closer to God when we feel furthest form Him.
He promises to be there for us when we need Him most, and that should be enough to help us deal with whatever tests come our way.
And if it isn't, we should pray. He will hear us and put our way straight, and help us find the hope we lack.
More to come...