Since March 2011 at 6:30AM every single morning, the leaders of my church have been hosting a prayer call for all who want to join in. We call it the “Fresh Fire” Prayer Call, and it has been a true model of consistency and a blessing for me and my family.
[Update: For those that would like to join us on the Prayer Call. Here is the number and access code: (559) 726-1200, Access Code 240679#. All are welcome!]
A profound statement
Occasionally, the First Lady of our church (our Senior Pastor’s wife) will host the call. I love speaking with her and listenting to her because she is one of the wisest, most honest, and real people you will ever meet. We always say, “the First Lady keeps it real.” Last week on the call she said something that stuck with me, and really encouraged me. I don’t remember the context of the call that morning, but I remember her words:
“Without a TEST, there is no TESTIMONY.”
That is not a new quote, a new phrase, or anything like that. However, when you learn more about the First Lady, you will understand that she knows a little something about a “test” and a “testimony“. You see, our First Lady is a breast cancer survivor. So when she said that, it meant more. It wasn’t just a “Christian Cliche“, it was real life and a real experience for her, just as it is for many other women.
What does it really mean?
To gain a better understand of that quote, I decided to look a little deeper into both of those words. I researched their definitions. Here is the definition of “test“:
test = Noun: A procedure intended to establish the quality, performance, or reliability of something, esp. before it is taken into widespread use.
So the purpose of a test is to make sure something is of high quality and ready, in preparation to be used or shared with many. Let’s check out the definition of “testimony“.
tes•ti•mo•ny = Noun: Evidence or proof provided by the existence or appearance of something.
A testimony is evidence, or proof of something.
Be encouraged by your test
If you are like me there is something that is testing you right now. Whether it be your finances, your marriage, your children, your blog, your work, your business, or even your personal habits. It can get frustrating, especially when it lasts longer than hoped for. The encouraging part is that there is intent, or purpose, with what you are going through. It’s purpose is to make you high quality, high performance, and/or reliable to prepare you for something else.
Don’t be discouraged when you are faced with challenges. Keep working to establish high quality, peek performance, and to become reliable. Following your test will be your proof, your evidence, or your testimony showing that you are all of the above!
Question: What has been testing you recently? Does this help you have a better perspective? Please share in the comment section below.
SPACE