TESTING, TESTING,1-2-3-TESTING.

Have ya been tested lately?  Sure you have-you just don't realize it.  Did you drink like a fish and then regurgitate your brain out this past week-end or any other time?  How about buying a pack of cigarettes instead of milk for the kids...or some pills or drugs to make it all go away.  Maybe you made a promise to a friend or family and didn't keep it.  Cheat someone or cause harm?  Maybe, I don't know, but God knows.

A person I know found $400.00 on the bathroom floor of a restaurant and scooped it up and put it in her pocket.  When I asked if she tried to find the person who lost the money it was the old "losers weepers, finders keepers" refrain or excuse.  When I pointed out that it might have been the difference between feeding a family or having them go hungry, her answer was "You don't know these people."  She didn't either and she was not going to try to find out wheather she deprived some family of milk or food.  In essence, she was saying that whoever lost that money was not deserving of it and she was.  She was judging without knowing, just assuming that by the location she was in, the loser was getting just what she thought they deserved...her just punishment.  I think she was tested and found wanting.  She is no longer in my scope of friends.  I have distanced myself.

We are tested all the time on a daily bases, by the decisions we make and the company we keep.  If you hang with the wrong crowd long enough you will become part of that group's thinking...unless your a very  exceptional person.  Remember the old saying; "Birds of a Feather Flock Together"...or the opposite, "Families that Pray Together Stay Together."  There is a treasure of truth and wisdom in the old adages.

The Twelve Tribes of Israel...you know...the ones that followed Moses into the desert in order escape from  Egypt...well, they were tested for 40 years.  Even the Pharaoh thought they had lost their way because they kept going around in circles.  Finally they figured it out: "Hey,we are going around in circles!"  Finally!  They were ready to obey the Laws of God.

Then there was that old guy, Abraham.  He took his only son Issac on a little hike up to the mountain where he was to be tested.  Issac was to be the sacrificial offerng to God, as Abraham was directed to consummate.  Only at the last moment did an Angel stay his hand and announce the He had passed the test.

I think God tests us so that we may know ourselves and our weakness; our lack of faith, trust and love of God.  Some get tested more than others, but in the end we may hopefully say, "O, Now I get it! 

The Old and New Testaments are full of accounts where God test his people. We are even now tested on a daily  basis  and found more than a little bit short, me include. I write this post inasmuch to help myself and make myself aware of my many shortcomings.  You can read it with a grin or a giggle or take it to heart. After all, I'm not the one doing the testing.

End