The Test Takes Time

Looking at the Christian, we may see the test of his or her faith as the event itself. Generously, we think, we may admit that the recovery also makes up part of the test. Then, we wonder, why doesn't he/she just get over it already? Little do we know that the testing of faith may take up a lifetime. A disease may have no cure, a few drugs or a controversial treatment may help the person make a life for a time, but the hope for a cure rests only in Heaven with Christ Jesus. Christians live with tests like that all the time. A devastating accident causes injuries that the body and mind never fully recover from - we know it somewhere, but tell the person he or she must 'put it behind' as if that is ever really possible. Others are born with challenges the rest of us can only wonder at, as we tell ourselves that they don't realize the extent of their disability. Can we be sure that man or woman does not know their mind does not work as quickly or as well as most?

Somehow, the test of a lifetime goes by day to day, year to year, and the overcoming of that steadfast endurance must really frustrate the Adversary. Why don't they, as Job's wife demanded, "Curse God and die!" in their condition of suffering? The Devil must wonder this often as he hurts another believer in Christ. Yet, days and weeks and months and years go by with big suffering or small hurts testing a faith that endures in Christ. Big tragedies or small hurts, we who believe in Christ live out the day.

Each new morning is a testament to our faith in Christ. Each evening we lay down to sleep adds glory to God's sovereign crown. Every prayer to God sends up a sweet incense before the throne of Heaven. The test of a lifetime belongs to every one of God's children. No one has a free pass, but every one of us accepts a salvation that God gives freely through His Son, Jesus. That which we cannot earn, is given. The strength to endure a life of testing we are not born with, but that too is given as needed.

Blessed be the name of our Lord Jesus!

Bucky