For the past twelve weeks, I have been in a total renovation of our house under a limited time frame. Donna typically arrives home around 6:30 PM and reminds me it’s time to stop work. She always asks how I’m doing. Many days I respond, “Is there a word one level below exhausted?” Only by adrenaline and God’s strength did I finally complete the project this week. About the sixth week, I realized this was not only a physical challenge—it was also a spiritual challenge.
I’ve often heard and taught that character is what you are in the dark. During these demanding three months, I’ve added another element to that definition. Character is also what you are when you are exhausted and stressed out. During my fatigue, I’ve found myself thinking, feeling, and saying things I thought I had conquered years ago. Needless to say, I’ve made several apologies.
Students hate exams because they view them from the wrong perspective. They are not designed so a teacher can kick you out of school. An exam is an instrument of evaluation. The intent of a test is to show the teacher and the student their weaknesses and their strengths. It tells the teacher where a student needs more help. It lets the student know where he/she must work harder in order to improve. My exhausting weeks demonstrated to me several areas where I must allow the Holy Spirit to do some more work. One example that came out for the first time in a long time was my ‘red-headed temper’. I was replacing an upstairs window sill from the inside by sticking my head out the window. I was okay the first four times I hit my head. It was that fifth time when I received the “F” grade. After the stars went away and the lights came back on, I reacted with my fist to that bad ole window that had deliberately hit me in the head again. Of course, I broke glass. Replacing it was a whole other adventure I might share later. I have to admit it felt good for a moment until I realized the additional work I would do repairing it.
Thank the LORD for my wonderful wife who overlooked my grouchy moods and occasional harsh words for the last few weeks. There are more low grades, but I think you get the idea. I was taught in the Bible college that I attended that sanctification was a work of grace that would eliminate our sinful nature and give us a perfect character. Good luck!! As long as we have breath in this life, the Holy Spirit will be working on our character.
But note, failing one test doesn’t give us the final grade. In fact if we learn from our failures and allow the Holy Spirit to strengthen these weak areas, He will delete the “F’s” and “D’s”. God doesn’t design or allow test in our life so He can eliminate us from His Kingdom. Rather He designs our exams to show us weak areas and where we need His help.
One of my favorite Bible characters, Joseph, went through thirteen years of difficult times. The Psalmist tells us why, until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him (Psa 105:19). The Hebrew word for test actually means to refine like gold. While living in Africa, I watched this refining process. It takes about 2 tons of ore to get 1 ounce of gold. This means there are 1.99999 tons of material that must be removed to produce the one ounce. The tests we face in life aren’t meant to destroy us but rather to remove everything that doesn’t glorify God.
Yes, I admit I’ve made an “F” and a few “D’s” this past semester, but now I know where the Holy Spirit must work so I can receive a passing grade next time. James tells us; consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors (James 1:2, 3 The Message).
Sustaining Word for the Week:
God doesn’t design or allow test in our life so He can eliminate us from His Kingdom. Rather He designs exams to show us weak areas in our character and where we need His help.