Testing Times

Gareth Malone's workplace choirs were tested last evening. 

They all knew that one of the four competing choirs would be eliminated. Gareth had told them them that just as he learned to improve through competing, so having to compete would make them get better.

As the programmes have unfolded, all of the choirs have improved. 

Much of that is down to the brilliant teaching they are given, and the time taken in practice. 

But the adrenalin of having to deliver their best, under pressure, has a startling effect. 

Sadly, Manchester Airport Choir left with tears in their eyes, and next week, we shall discover who is the winner.

St. James said something similar to Gareth's statement about the value of being tested. 

But it is quite shocking. 'Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.' (James 1.2-4)

As all of us reflect on times of trouble and testing that we have been through, my guess is that very few of us look back seeing them as an opportunity for great joy.

Much more likely is a sense of escaping by the skin of our teeth, and having been worn down by the difficulties in our lives. We may have grown older and wiser, but we possibly feel wounded and sad that so much energy went on surviving what we might have thought of as unnecessary.

But James says what he does, because as a wise Christian pastor, he knows that some lessons about God's goodness and mercy, and some character changes in people like us only come about when we have endured tough times. 

If we can learn to look for answers to questions such as 'what is God doing in my life?', or 'how can I grow stronger in my endurance?', then we may indeed begin to be joyful when the times are tough. Instead of praying 'Lord, please take away this trouble', we might even pray 'Lord, please test me and try me, so that I develop endurance'. 

Are you ready for that challenge? Or will we all fail to learn the lessons the Lord is trying to teach us?

My prayer is that we grow, through testing times.

Best wishes,

Richard