Day XVI: God's Curriculum

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your face develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its works so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

So currently, its the second round of midterms. There are some classes I hate studying for... namely Biochemistry. If the two subjects, biology and chemistry, at a molecular level were not complex already... Now to take this one step more, I don't find the time studying for the BBMB exams "pure joy." So let me ask you, "is James nuts? Did he lose it after writing only one verse? No, he had a much clearer perspective on the value of testing... He had God's perspective."

God's curriculum is different, but the methodology is the same. "God's method of instruction is to impart truth, followed with an affirmation like an answered prayer, and then test us to see if we really believe him. Just like school, the test comes after the classwork is done and the examples are finished. Then we find out what we know -- and believe."

His curriculum for us includes:

• "enough joy to encourage us.
• enough love to strengthen us.
• enough success to build our confidence.
• enough suffering to force us to depend on him.
• enough confusion to make us seek his face."

In doing this, "His purpose is for us to enjoy him as he builds our faith."

Here's a news flash: "God may have a different curriculum than we think he does. In fact, he almost always has a different curriculum than we think we does."

Isaiah 55:8-9 depicts how God has greater plans than our own.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.

"As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Being changed by and following Christ is something we can never get enough of. When we are spiritually mature in Christ and hit the void, the darkness... it is imperative that we trust in Him (Psalm 56:3-4).

In Isaiah 50:10 calls us to trust in the unchanging character of God.

Who among you fears the LORD
and obeys the word of his servant?
Let him who walks in the dark,
who has no light,
trust in the name of the LORD
and rely on his God.

In Isaiah 50:11, Isaiah warns us to not try to bridge the gap ourselves, but trust in God to work within us. When we try to make God do things, we are the ones left disappointed: foolish.

But now, all you who light fires
and provide yourselves with flaming torches,
go, walk in the light of your fires
and of the torches you have set ablaze.
This is what you shall receive from my hand:
You will lie down in torment.

In college, I have been blessed enough to experience many trials and changes. My freshman to sophomore year, I was in a manipulative relationship. I came into college on fire for Christ and the guy I was dating was pulling me in the opposite direction. Internally, I was broken. I was in a tug-o-war between my true love and my mundane boyfriend. After breaking up with this guy, I desperately clung to Christ. Soon after, my mom almost died from a poisonous spider bite. He used my mom's trial to test both our faith. On the plane, my mom turned to me and said something I will never forget. She was delusional most of the flight and had not said a complete sentence to me the whole 8 hour plane flight except this one. "Jessica, if anything happens, know that I love you." I wanted to cry, but knew I couldn't. My mom needed me now. I embraced her and walked to the back of the plane. I got on my knees and prayed. God was changing me and making me depend on Him. Near death, in between sweating and sleeping, somewhere between being spinal tapped 6 times, my mom saw the risen Christ. God saved my mom and strengthened me. Wasn't what I had planned for spring break, but I couldn't ask for a greater Easter gift. My mom, home and healthy... our faith spurred on.

"Many times the tests God gives us are not only for us. God uses them to get the attention of those around us, too... Sometimes we recognize the tests before they happen. Most of the time they are pop quizzes that catch us when we're not looking. The tests come in all shapes, sizes, and times, and God uses them to produce character and faith deep in our hearts. That's his curriculum. Don't place hookey from his school."

All quotes in this post that are not the Bible or followed by another person's name are from David Nasser's A Call to Die