If you are like most people, you don’t like tests. Even though I’ve taken innumerable tests throughout both of my careers, I still detest them.
Apparently, God isn’t a fan of tests either. Many times in the Bible, we are warned not to put God to the test. This is because when we test God, we want him to prove to us that we can trust him. But God’s character is to be trustworthy. So when we test God, we are challenging him to prove something we should already know and understand.
But what if God challenges us to test him?
The prophet Malachi tells God’s people that the Messiah is coming, and great abundance and joy will follow. But the people are skeptical – they’ve been waiting so long they aren’t sure whether they can trust God’s promises anymore. So, God challenges them – if they obey God, the windows of heaven will be opened and blessings will pour down.
When I imagine the windows of heaven opening, I think of rain coming down to water a dry land and how wonderful it is to stand in that rain with my face tilted to the sky.
What blessings does God want to shower on us? Is it a renewed faith? A renewed relationship? A renewed neighborhood? The thanks of a grateful stranger, the smile of a child, the visitor who will become a friend? The laughter of a teen, the relief of a parent, the shining eyes of a senior?
Give it a shot – test God! Give to the Building Hope for Tomorrow campaign what God lays on your heart and watch the blessings overflow.
This is one test you want to take!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, what do you want to do through me to move your mission forward in our community? Show me the blessings you want to shower on me, my family and the world around me, and ignite my heart to move forward with you. Amen.