Putting Yourself to the Test
What does this mean “Putting Yourself to the Test”? What test? Who made up the test?
If we truly believe that we are all here to learn, tests should be no problem. Just like when we were in school we had to undergo tests to see what and how much we had learned, where we might need further work or study. Participating in this experience we call life, there are times we need to take a test to see where we may be lacking.
Some area we need to work on to improve or even correct. Each of us, of course, must make up our own test, which in itself is a test. And then we have to grade the test honestly and objectively.
We hear over and over that we are mirrored in others…there comes a time when we must pick up our own personal mirror and take a really close look into the eyes (soul) of that person looking back at us.
It is relatively easy to look into the mirror and say “You are a wonderful, magnificent being created in the image of God”. It is not so easy to say to that person reflected back “Hey, you know there are a few things you do, some of your actions are less than perfect, less than the image in which you were originally created”.
This is the type of test of which I speak.
If you are uncomfortable with the word or thought TEST, use the word challenge.
Jesus is my Master Teacher so I structured my test after His teachings. Whoever your master teacher is – structure your test after those teachings.
Don’t be too hard on yourself and at the same time don’t be too lackadaisical. Growth is essential and especially to those of us who like to think we are enlightened. We cannot truly help others until we can help ourselves. We cannot direct anyone else onto the path unless our own feet are stepping firmly.
Every day each of us looks in a mirror at least one time, to fix our hair, clean our teeth, check our clothing… Looking on the inside is a little more difficult. On the outside we can say “I really don’t look good in this outfit or my hair looks better when I comb it this way”.
When we look to the inside we have to decide if we really look good as a Judgmental Person if we cannot accept another judging us. Can I hand out criticism but am unable to take it when someone criticizes me? Can I laugh at someone else but get upset when I’m laughed at? Can I laugh at myself?
Do I dislike something I see in someone and not have courage to see if I have that same characteristic? Am I honest with others? Am I honest with myself? Do I have what it takes to say “I made a mistake”? If someone tells me I may be going in a direction that is going no where or is a direction that can cause harm to me or another, can I or am I able to say “thank you”?
