It’s Only A Test
“Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” - James 1:3-4
In 1963, the United States government initiated a new system which was designed to give the President an expeditious way to communicate with the American public in the event of war, the threat of war, or a serious national crisis. There would be a sudden interruption of your viewing the normal television programming, the screen would go off, a horn or siren would sound, and then an announcement would be heard and scroll across the bottom of the screen.
The announcement would say something like, “This is a test. For the next sixty seconds, the station will conduct a test of the Emergency Broadcast System.” Once the interlude was finished, the announcer would clearly repeat, “This is only a test.” This was a method the government used to keep the American public safe and informed about matters of real national security. It was considered a good way to “ready us” and to “prepare us” for something that had happened or could happen.
Their goal was not to frighten us or to make us worry. It was to make sure the public was ready in the event of a crisis, and the means of preparing us was to conduct a test! While we may not prefer it, God does the same thing. God tests us not to destroy us or to discourage us, but to develop us in our journey with Him.
God has a way of interrupting our regular routine in life with a challenge designed to determine the integrity of our walk and the strength of our love for Him. The test is designed to determine if we are as serious as we say we are. Often, just like the TV programming, we do not know when this test is going to come, and therefore we must stay ready. This means being consistent and strong in our faith.
If God sent a test right now, would you pass? Are you spiritually ready for the potential of adversity or a trial in your life? If God came in and interrupted your life, would you graciously embrace it and turn to Him? You never know when it will come, but it is best to be ready so that when it does, you know exactly who to turn towards!
In 1963, the United States government initiated a new system which was designed to give the President an expeditious way to communicate with the American public in the event of war, the threat of war, or a serious national crisis. There would be a sudden interruption of your viewing the normal television programming, the screen would go off, a horn or siren would sound, and then an announcement would be heard and scroll across the bottom of the screen.
The announcement would say something like, “This is a test. For the next sixty seconds, the station will conduct a test of the Emergency Broadcast System.” Once the interlude was finished, the announcer would clearly repeat, “This is only a test.” This was a method the government used to keep the American public safe and informed about matters of real national security. It was considered a good way to “ready us” and to “prepare us” for something that had happened or could happen.
Their goal was not to frighten us or to make us worry. It was to make sure the public was ready in the event of a crisis, and the means of preparing us was to conduct a test! While we may not prefer it, God does the same thing. God tests us not to destroy us or to discourage us, but to develop us in our journey with Him.
God has a way of interrupting our regular routine in life with a challenge designed to determine the integrity of our walk and the strength of our love for Him. The test is designed to determine if we are as serious as we say we are. Often, just like the TV programming, we do not know when this test is going to come, and therefore we must stay ready. This means being consistent and strong in our faith.
If God sent a test right now, would you pass? Are you spiritually ready for the potential of adversity or a trial in your life? If God came in and interrupted your life, would you graciously embrace it and turn to Him? You never know when it will come, but it is best to be ready so that when it does, you know exactly who to turn towards!
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