9. Is life a test? If so, what is the content of the test?
10. What has experience taught you?
(My answers to these questions are on the comments page.)
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My Answer to Question 9:
Life is a test. An experiment, not a final.
We’re not here proving our worthiness; we’re “proving all things, holding fast that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:21). We are learning and creating, by experience, who we want to be. We are finding what works for happiness, and what bears “bad fruit.” Truly, wickedness never was happiness! (Committing adultery does not bring happiness; it produces shallowness and insecurity. Stealing never satisfies the soul’s longing for productive creativity. Retaliation does not heal our anger and despair. Drunkenness doesn’t solve problems–it magnifies them a hundred fold.)
I think God’s reticence (his quietness) is the perfect condition for us to find out what we desire. He stands back, not dictating our every move. (Religion does that–not God.) He honors our agency, and our capacities. He’s not going to solve all our problems for us, but he is always ready to help us find our solutions within ourselves. Rather than merely pleading, “Please solve this . . .,” we can ask, “What should I do?” or “Whom shall I call?” or “How should I change?” Those answers come more readily, in my experience. If our problems (such as metastasized cancer) are not going to be solved, he will whisper peace to our soul. We can trust his judgment. He trusts and honors ours. Life is an awesome experiment!
I love this quote:
“Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.”
My Answer to Question 10:
3 truths that I have learned personally in my life are:
1. “God loves his undeserving children.”
He is generous. He is forgiving. He is available. He loves us
perfectly.
2. “The Kingdom of God is within [us].”
We come from God with Light within. We can tap into that light to
discover truth for ourselves. (Jesus set the ultimate example of
this.) We are all potential prophets.
3. “It’s all about relationships.”
If there is something God truly cares about us “getting” on earth, it
is Love. (Most of the “mysteries†can wait . . . ) He would have us
know and love Him, know and love ourselves (we are important to
Him!), and know and love our fellows (they are gifts in our lives). He
quietly mentors us, “Be merciful.”