An article a few weeks ago made mention of a "test" that ended in the summer of 2012. One of my granddaughters left a comment that has led me to offer a perspective of the value of a test.
I don't think our Creator is sitting in heaven on His throne, saying "What hoop can I make them jump through today?" I believe we do received tests for several reasons, and I'd like to discuss a few of them in this article. First, if we are righteous like Job, it may be an attack of the enemy, showing his rebellion against our Creator. No matter what the attack, the righteous are so devoted to Abba, they don't even give the enemy any credit. This type of test is probably fairly rare . . . and there is no Scriptural evidence that it is repeated.
There was Y'hshuwah's temptation in the wilderness and I think most of us do receive those. Temptation isn't necessarily a huge full blown test, although it often is. By that I mean, sometimes a temptation is quite fleeting and little more than a thought. I'm using the term "test" when the temptations come in waves . . .Since what transpired two years ago, was aiming at one of my primary weaknesses, as well as priorities. I'd say it falls in the category of temptation that proved to be a refining trial and a test to see where I would stand. I know it was a test, because YHWH used the word, test, when He said it was over. Not every step taken in the ordeal was righteous, but I did not yield to the ultimate temptation, and as it turned out many of us got to see what we truly do believe and where we'll draw the line. I learned several things about myself through that time, thus the term: test. Some of what I learned about myself was good, some not so good, but the not so good has been surrendered for improvement.
The stabbing, parting words made me truly assess my motives. I was called to establish something for G-d's plan. No way could I allow anyone else to change it. Enhance, yes! Bring improvements, of course! Express their individual G-d given talents, you betcha! Change the foundation . . . ABSOLUTELY NOT! Now, the test for me, was how much would I compromise with my biggest weakness of obligation. I'd gotten things out of order years before and my test was literally a matter of life and death of eternal consequences. In all fairness to the other individual, I had always allowed their portion of the "agreement" to change after the deal was made, so when I refused to alter this one, I'm sure this was quite foreign and strange. Would I place the demands of a human being above the call of YHWH? I made some mistakes that summer, but thankfully, not that one! HalleluYah! The continued ongoing interaction in the two years since, is quite minimal and quite long distance, yet continues, consistently to offer confirmation. There is no going back. That part of the test, I passed.
Spiritual tests can be very individual or as was the case here, administered and allowed so several could see where they actually stood and what they actually believe. The fact that I no longer have to put out any effort to make up for the past or even attempt to defend myself in the face of outrageous judgment and accusations, is quite freeing! I learned so much about myself through that test. I learned rose colored glasses cloud discernment. I also was shown a vision, on my back deck. One of the individuals used the term, "serpentine" and as as they spoke that word, I saw the letters slither . . . Throughout the course of the rest of the summer, I saw many of the words that came out of that same mouth, continue to slither.
Of course, I didn't know it was a test in the beginning. I was truly hopeful it was the genuine change I'd prayed for, for years. I discovered, after the test, although I grieved, I can graciously accept NO for an answer to prayer. Whether or not it's a permanent NO is not in my hands, and I can truly accept that. I don't think I could have prior to 2012. Every time I go by a place at which we'd looked or consider all the plans that continued to change, and the demands that I didn't meet, I'm so thankful the continually changing plans did not become reality. It's a relief in many ways. The gift of discernment has been increased and the ministry is moving forward. If I'd have compromised, this ministry would have been destroyed. As for the others involved? That is between them and our Creator.
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