you know the answers…just finish the test

So my sister-in-law just called and dropped an incredible ‘thought bomb’ on me. {Let me see if I can re-tell it correctly…}

She went to church this week, and a visiting minister told a story about something that happened to a young evangelist he knew. {Have I lost ya yet…? }

Apparently this young evangelist was crying out to God concerning a deep trial he was going through, begging God to answer him or just do something, ya know? And while he was praying, suddenly {in his mind} he was back in his 6th grade classroom. He remembered sitting there with his hand raised, trying to get the teacher’s attention. Finally she gets up and, leaning over him, she says, ‘Son, I can’t answer your question right now. You’re taking a test.’

{Cue the angelic chorus or…maybe I need to let that lil’ statement sink in for a moment.}

When my sister-in-law repeated that story to me, I had to sit down for a second…as understanding dawned in my head.

I’m begging God, ‘Please show me something. Give me a hint. Whisper to me just one word, or shine one ray of light to point me in the correct direction.’

But He doesn’t need to. Because, besides the fact that He can’t give me the answers during my test…I already have everything I need to take {and pass} it.

I have His Word. Which is a ‘lamp to my feet and a light to my path’. He’s already ahead of me up there just waiting for me to get through. And when I set the pencil down, walk to the front to turn my ‘test’ in…I’ll have made it to exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Which is what He already knows. Because He prepared me for this test long before He gave it to me. He supplied me with every tool I would need to pass it with flying colors.

He believes in me. He already knows I can do this. And when I get through with this test…there’ll be plenty more down the road. Because I’ve got tons more to learn. Which is what life is all about.

It’s not about arriving…it’s about the climb.

So keep filling in the answers…you’re almost there.

{Image courtesy of Flickr}