Would You Pass the Test?

I happen to be reading Max Lucado’s Cure for the Common Life,




when I came by this scripture, “If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.” (Matthew 15:25 NLT – pg 86). Lucado uses these words from Jesus to ask us if we are willing to follow God WHEREVER he leads. Would we, like Joseph, give up our social standing to wed Mary and claim Jesus as our own?

Wow, that is a powerful question. I would love to say “Yes” without a doubt and certainly I strive to reach that point. Truthfully though, I don’t know. Lucado brings up three examples of similar callings for us to ponder:

You are a photographer for an ad agency and are asked to work for an adult magazine. Do you agree to the shoot?
To me, this one doesn’t see too difficult - of course that is until they offer you some ridiculous amount of money to do it and you need to put oil in your tank to heat your house this winter.

You’re taking a college philosophy course and the teacher is railing against God and Christianity itself. Do you speak up?
It is easy to say you would, but this person holds your future in his / her hands. What if it was your boss? How about at a party where everyone is speaking again God? Would you be the lone voice. Now if you knew me, I can be a loud mouth and often have a hard time keeping my opinions to myself so it is likely that I would speak up, but trying to fit in is also one of my faults especially for the sake of my children or my husband. If we were at a business dinner with clients, I’m not sure that I would have the guts. I guess this is definitely an area I need to work on. Sadly, the one time I have actually experienced this and worked on speaking up is in Bible Study. Although I grew up in the church where I am taking this course and I respect all the members and especially my minister, I take issue with some of their beliefs. I think it is very easy to think that God is all Love and Kindness. While I believe that He contains those qualities and has unending love for His children, I also think that He calls us to do right and when we continually deny Him, He gets angry (Does the book of Exodus sound familiar?). I also greatly question the idea that all paths lead to God and Salvation. While I think that it makes us happy to believe that, please explain, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6 KJV). And so despite great fear of admonishment from my own priest, I continue to ask questions focusing on this idea. Now please don’t applaud me, because I am still unable to out rightly challenge the beliefs of the larger group, but I have at least questioned. Would you?

You completely change your life from being a Christmas Christian, or as I have also heard them referred a “C & E Christian” (translation- a person who only attends church on Christmas & Easter) to becoming a fully participatory person in your church and its missions. Your friends are scared of this change in you and pressure you to return to your old role. Do you?

We have made this change and frankly, we just make new friends. We still see most of the old friends, but it is awkward when they don’t share in the same deep faith and hesitate to discuss God’s work. People tend to hang around with others that share common goals and ideals. To us, our faith and our family are central. If you don’t share that then we probably don’t have a lot of time to hang out anyway.

As always, it is easy to speak (or in this case write) your beliefs.; It is much harder to live them. And even if you pass these tests today, what about tomorrow? Next Tuesday? What if what was asked of you put you at odds with your family? Your husband? Would you be able to pass or would you have to fall to our knees and ask forgiveness.

Later in the book, Lucado briefly discusses Psalm 51, King David’s apology after he had sinned with Bath-sheba. I picked up my Bible to read it. I am going to share it with you below. I figure we both may need it when we fail the test. I have given you the King James Version and also the Contemporary English Version both have been copied from http://www.biblegateway.com/.

Psalm 51 - KJV

1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.


Psalm 51 (Contemporary English Version)

A Prayer for Forgiveness

1You are kind, God!
Please have pity on me.
You are always merciful!
Please wipe away my sins.
2Wash me clean from all
of my sin and guilt.
3I know about my sins,
and I cannot forget
my terrible guilt.
4You are really the one
I have sinned against;
I have disobeyed you
and have done wrong.
So it is right and fair for you
to correct and punish me.
5I have sinned and done wrong
since the day I was born.
6But you want complete honesty,
so teach me true wisdom.
7Wash me with hyssop [a] until I am clean
and whiter than snow.
8Let me be happy and joyful!
You crushed my bones,
now let them celebrate.
9Turn your eyes from my sin
and cover my guilt.
10Create pure thoughts in me
and make me faithful again.
11Don't chase me away from you
or take your Holy Spirit
away from me.
12Make me as happy as you did
when you saved me;
make me want to obey!
13I will teach sinners your Law,
and they will return to you.
14Keep me from any deadly sin.
Only you can save me!
Then I will shout and sing
about your power to save.
15Help me to speak,
and I will praise you, Lord.
16Offerings and sacrifices
are not what you want.
17The way to please you
is to feel sorrow
deep in our hearts.
This is the kind of sacrifice
you won't refuse.
18Please be willing, Lord,
to help the city of Zion
and to rebuild its walls.
19Then you will be pleased
with the proper sacrifices,
and we will offer bulls
on your altar once again.