The Testing Place

“So we will be brought one by one to the testing place, and we may never know when we are there. At that testing place there will be no dozen possible choices for us — just one and an alternative — but our whole future will be conditioned by the choice we make” (A. W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God).

Our lives are filled with choices, and we like to think that our happiness, our fulfillment, is in having a lot to choose from.  People like a restaurant menu with a lot of entrees, a cable or satellite service with many channels, a mall with a variety of good shops, various options for their leisure time, multiple jobs to choose from, etc.  And even in their religious lives, people often seek churches with a lot of programs or activities, and preaching that gives some variety, and a number of friends so they can choose among the ones they like to be with.  Ah, that’s the life…

But the real choices, those that affect our spiritual relationship to our Father, are of a different nature.  There are momentous decision points, destiny-shaping choices to which we are brought at certain points in our lives.  They are rare, and as mentioned in the quote above, they are not “multiple choice”; rather they are generally of the yes/no – either/or – good/evil variety.  They take us through a door where everything is changed.  They are akin to Jesus’ trial in Gethsemane.  The choice of good is often painful and costly.  It may mean a sacrifice beyond what we ever imagined before. 

We naturally fear this test.  We will do all we can to avoid it, put it off if we can. When it comes, we wonder why it is happening to us, feel sorry about our “tough breaks”, maybe even complain about God’s forsaking us.  “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” I Pet. 4:12, ESV.

When you are ready, God will bring you to the testing place.  If he has not done it, you are not ready.  He is trying to prepare you.  When you are face-to-face with the decision, it is because God has designed it for you and prepared you for it.  “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” I Cor. 10:13. ESV.

"Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea."  Ps. 46:2

Perhaps you have been there, and you failed.  You are tasting the bitter fruit, reaping the consequences of your decision.  You wish you could go back and undo these consequences, make everything right, but you can’t.   You can only humble yourself, confess your sin to God, rest in His forgiveness, but you can’t undo all of the consequences of that failed test.

The only test you can do anything about are the one that you are facing now, or the one He is working to get you ready for. “Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.”  Jer. 18:6