Purpose Driven Life 5
“Life as a trust” and the concept of stewardship really resonate with me.
“Life as a test” on the other hand does not sit well. How can God who knows all things and the ends from the beginnings need or want to test me? It is truly like giving a vision test to the blind. I think the analogy offered by J. Vernon McGee may suit here:
The railroad bridge over a river near his home town was washed out. After some time workmen rebuilt the bridge. When completed they drove two locomotives onto the bridge at the same time (more weight than it would normally carry at one time) and tied their whistles down. With the noise the townsfolk came out to see. One asked the foreman, “What are you doing?” He responded, “We’re testing the bridge.” To which the fellow asked, “What, are you trying to break it down?” With some offense the foreman answered, “No, we’re showing that it can’t be broken down.”
The test in that case was a demonstration for the benefit of the townsfolk not for the benefit of the engineers. Similarly when I am tested it is not so God will find out how well I can do but to show me how poorly (and perhaps occasionally how well) I can do.
While the author alludes to the various examples of testing he does not show the conclusion of those tests. I think the conclusions fall into the categories offered by Paul for his own actions:
“For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.” – The haughty and self righteous are tested to show their weakness.
And
“…yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.” – The humble are used as tools for super-human works by God.
“Life as a test” on the other hand does not sit well. How can God who knows all things and the ends from the beginnings need or want to test me? It is truly like giving a vision test to the blind. I think the analogy offered by J. Vernon McGee may suit here:
The railroad bridge over a river near his home town was washed out. After some time workmen rebuilt the bridge. When completed they drove two locomotives onto the bridge at the same time (more weight than it would normally carry at one time) and tied their whistles down. With the noise the townsfolk came out to see. One asked the foreman, “What are you doing?” He responded, “We’re testing the bridge.” To which the fellow asked, “What, are you trying to break it down?” With some offense the foreman answered, “No, we’re showing that it can’t be broken down.”
The test in that case was a demonstration for the benefit of the townsfolk not for the benefit of the engineers. Similarly when I am tested it is not so God will find out how well I can do but to show me how poorly (and perhaps occasionally how well) I can do.
While the author alludes to the various examples of testing he does not show the conclusion of those tests. I think the conclusions fall into the categories offered by Paul for his own actions:
“For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.” – The haughty and self righteous are tested to show their weakness.
And
“…yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.” – The humble are used as tools for super-human works by God.
posted by Mark at 00:07
2 Comments:
Perhaps a "test" is not something designed by Another to see how good we do, but a way of expressing the reality that everything we do is either in keeping with what God would have us do or not.
In this case I fail most "test" and rest in God's grace for my sense of purpose and mission. I am a “test failure” loved by God who will be tested again tomorrow, and fall short again, I'm certain.
Yes, whatever I do I fail at; whatever I let God do through me is a success (1Cor 15:10). I take pleasure in watching God work through me.
I suppose that means that each time I fail it is because I have not allowed God to work through me. Thank God for the refuge of being clothed in Christ's righteousness.
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