Don’t storm out the exam room!

Math has never been my strongest subject.

I had to work really hard at it and didn’t fully grasp Algebra until I was an adult.

Word problems were the worst.

“Two trains leave the station at the same time…” and from there on out the problem might as well have been typed out in Swahili.

I’ve written a couple of blogs about experiencing a spiritual final exam if you will. How all of a sudden I was seeing and experiencing things from earlier chapters which makes perfect sense because final exams are cumulative.

Well it seems I’m making progress through my spiritual final exam and have hit what we’ll call the mathematical word problem section of the test and I’m reeling. I remember failing this horribly. Last time, this part of the exam had me tell God…you and I are no longer on speaking terms. Oh yes I did. I was angry and I was pulling the silent treatment. (Thank God He’s long-suffering!)

This is a real test of your faith. It’s the Abraham on the mountain with a knife raised to slay Isaac kind of moment. It’s a God this doesn’t make a bit of sense portion of the test and asks the question...just where are you anyway? As with any teacher giving an exam, quietly sitting at their desk waiting to call time.

This portion of the exam calls into your question the depth of your faith. It wants to know do you really believe what you say you believe. Is it real or all some made up fairy tale? Are the skeptics right or is there really a God in Heaven who sits on the throne and is All Powerful, All Knowing and Ever Present? This word problem asks for the promise.

Are you willing to sacrifice His promise to you for Him? Can you say like the Three Hebrew Boys…oh King Nebuchadnezzar…our God is able to deliver us from you and the fiery furnace BUT IF NOT let it be known that our God, He is God (paraphrased). The exam is over for many at this point. It was for me all those many years ago.

And here I am again.

He wants the promise.

I hear the words to a song my father-in-law used to sing:

Is your all on the altar of sacrificed laid?
Your heart does the Spirit control?
You can only be blessed, and have peace and sweet rest
Until all on the altar is laid.

Singing group Forever Jones reminds me that He wants it ALL.

As difficult and complicated as this word problem is, I will answer correctly.

Even in the middle of my own final exam, I want to encourage you not to throw in the towel. I want to encourage you not to walk out in the middle of your own exam. You can do it. You can give Him what He wants. I know it hurts…believe me I know it hurts…but we are empowered to withstand. We are destined to win. I’m not telling you everything will be alright tomorrow. I’m not saying you may not lose your home, car or job. I am saying this…that He that began a good work in you WILL perform it. He is author and finisher.

My prayer today can be found in Hebrews 13:20-21:

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.