Today Is a Test

Today is a test. It will be taken whether or not we are prepared. We have the question set before us: What will we do with what we have? 

We may have dreaded this test. It may mean we have to go through something we would rather avoid. We can run from the test but it just means we have to take the same test later. Sometimes the "makeup" test is much harder than the one in front of us. It is better to go ahead and take the test today.

This test may scare us. The fear of failing this test is founded upon the previous tests we have failed. We like to avoid confrontations. Tests are confrontations of what we fear. Today's test confronts us by how we will handle our particular situation which has been handed to us today. Our success or failure is built upon what we do.

Our answers to today's test will reveal what we really believe. Everything we have said in platitudes and proverbs will mean nothing if we do not live what we say we believe. 

We cannot justify failing today's test. We can't simply say that stress got to us or that there were other unforeseen circumstances which got in the way of our success. Ultimately, we are responsible for today's test. 

Help is available for this test if we ask for it. No one needs to take today's test alone. There is One who knows all the answers and wants to help us pass today's test.

There will be another test for tomorrow. Today's test is the one we must concentrate on. Will we do what we should or will we regret our answer for today? Will we try to justify our failure or will we accept our faults? Will we ask for help on this test or will we try to go it alone?

Today's test is graded on a curve. Failing today's test is not our goal but if we do, we have One who will give us a passing grade. He passed the test for us.

We will pass today's test if we will just listen.

Hebrews 3:12-15 (NIV)
¹²  See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.¹³  But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.¹⁴  We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.
¹⁵ As has just been said: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion."