Life Notes
Testing Life
By Tim Russ
(Proverbs 4:13 NIV) Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
Life would be so much easier if teachers didn't give tests. They could just stand up there in front of the class, tell us what they know and we could sit back and nod our heads without any commitment to pay attention, take notes or prepare for that nasty test we know will eventually come.
Ah, but life isn't so easy is it? Teachers actually expect us to learn. They are relentless in providing test after test. They let us know if we are learning what they are teaching or whether we are failing to learn.
Many students will avoid studying as if it is some dread disease. In fact, studies show that there is an epidemic of 'lazy study habits' sweeping this country. The treatment that the infected students seem to prefer is cramming.
By cramming for tests the night before they can live like they want to all week and then gear up for test day. Their brains are full of test material. If anyone asks anything they can give a clear answer. This influx of knowledge is only a temporary treatment, though, as the disease reappears the following evening.
Who we are in life is determined by our habits; our lifestyle. Habits are formed by consistently making the same choices. By doing this on a daily basis we form a daily habit. If we only make these choices on a weekly basis we will form a weekly habit.
Once we make these choices we have to see if they are correct, just like taking a test. If the choice was a good one it will produce good results. If it is bad you'll see that rather quickly. This brings us to the second problems students are facing. Blurred vision.
We can make our choices and test but do we pay any attention to the results of that test? Many do not. It is easier to ignore the test results and go right on with an easy way of life. Unfortunately that lifestyle pattern will eventually spell destruction.
Often teachers will give a pop quiz when they suspect that their students are not doing their studies on a regular basis. Being suddenly thrust into the light of inspection without warning can devastate the unprepared student. Their humiliation at failing the test will expose them to everyone as a fraud. The consequences can be extremely severe.
Like the student we sit in our church pew week after week. We don't take notes. We don't prepare for that big nasty test that we know will eventually come. Like the student in school we cram for the test at the last minute. We put it off as long as we can. But we never know when the teacher is going to call us in to take a pop quiz that may cause us to pass or fail.
(1 Thessalonians 5:21 NIV) Test everything. Hold on to the good.
Copyright © 2008 Tim Russ. All rights reserved.