“Honestly, most of the tests God issues come as sucker punches to our pride followed by a spinning Bruce Lee- style kick to our hypocrisy.”- Wayne
Stiles
In Chapter 7 (“The Surprising Place Where Waiting Begins”) of Waiting on God, Dr. Wayne Stiles summarizes our daily walk with God. Dr. Stiles writes:
“Our daily walk with God includes a whole lot of waiting on him. It always will. A life of faith, hope, and love requires a life of waiting. But it never began there. It began [at Creation] with God waiting on us.”
Therefore, God takes the initiative in our lives. Then, He waits for our response. Throughout the process of this divine exchange, we grow. However, God’s initiative in these events gets really uncomfortable when He chooses to test our faith. Such tests come in two forms- pop quizzes and bigger tests.
We never see a pop quiz coming. As a result, it blindsides us. Having a pop quiz dropped in our laps is like catching a live grenade. Therefore, we must respond in an instant.
On the other hand, Wayne states, bigger tests “examine the mettle of our theology and often seem to contradict it.” These exacting exams go beyond merely exposing our blind spots. Especially relevant, bigger tests reach those areas we turn a blind eye to.
Consequently, the revelations of pop quizzes and bigger tests humble us. Furthermore, we’re confronted with the reality that we’re not the person we think we are. Most noteworthy, Dr. Stiles encourages, neither are we the person God promises to help us become.
Today’s question: What sucker punches to your pride followed your ministry downsizing or vocation loss? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “The hard facts of life- a means of God’s grace”
