I was reminded of the story of the young man who wanted to become a missionary and was sent for an interview by a person who had been one for many years. He called the man and he was told to arrive at the examiner’s house at 5:00 am. So, he got up at 4:00 am and was there before 5:00 am. He was led into the study and the examiner and left there alone for three hours! The examiner came back and asked the young man how to spell “baker”. The young man slowly spelled it for him. The examiner then said “I want to check out your mathematical ability. What is 2 plus 2? The young man looked back at him and quietly said “four”. The veteran missionary nodded and said “Ok, I’m going to recommend that you be part of our missionary team. The young man was stunned but said “thank you” and left. That evening the examiner met with the rest of the team and gave his recommendation for the young man. He said “I tested him on self-denial…he rolled out of bed before dawn and showed up before 5:00 am. I checked out his patience…by making him wait alone in my study for three hours. I checked to see what kind of temper he had…I came in the study and asked him to spell ‘baker’…and he did it without become agitated. And finally, I tested his humility, I asked him if he could tell me was 2 plus 2 was. He answered readily and without any sarcasm. He will make a great team member. That may be just amusing story, but it is a sober reminder that the God of the Bible will allow you to be tested every day out there in world you live in. He will open the door for you to love others…even when you might not want to. He will give you a chance to hate what is wrong but hold tightly to what is good in God’s eyes. He will see if you are humble enough to take delight in honoring others. You’ll get chances to goof off or just “phone it in” during you day…but the test will be to see if you will work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. And then when people torment you, do you have it in you to bless them and pray that God will bless them too? These are all things that the Apostle Paul wrote about, reminding us that we are going to be constantly tested each day in one way or another. Remember that God is not interested in credentials, but in character. Because your journey is about something else, he wrote…the goal is us being conformed to the image of Christ. Do well on your test today. God is rooting for you! Here’s our Bible verse for today…
Romans 12:9-15 NLT Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. (10) Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. (11) Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. (12) Rejoice in our confident
hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. (13) When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. (14) Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. (15) Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.
Remember I’m praying for you…
PJ
Romans 12:9-15 NLT Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. (10) Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. (11) Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. (12) Rejoice in our confident
hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. (13) When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. (14) Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. (15) Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.
Remember I’m praying for you…
PJ