Qualifying



photo- motogp.com

Many of us are inspired when we see a really good race! I am when it’s on two wheels! But for the biggest races, they don’t just let anyone get out on the track! There are all kinds of rules for making sure you are qualified to be on the track! Not the least of these is passing several times of testing you and your equipment to see if you are literally up to speed! It makes perfect sense both for the integrity of the race, and the safety of all involved. (The picture at right is of Filippo Preziosi on a test ride at Spain’s Jerez MotoGP)

So, we should not think it strange that in spiritual matters, the Lord thinks that we, too, should go through times of testing and qualifying before we can be ready to go on the spiritual ‘race.’ In this season of Lent, where we prepare for life’s race, let’s remember that Jesus himself did not escape this process. (see Mark 1:9-15) The first thing that happened after Jesus was baptized into this calling was to be led right into 40 days of testing and trying in the wild. We do not have to consider the tests, trials, and wilderness of life a distraction or journey away from our race, they can be the very training ground, the testing and trying, that qualifies us for the high calling of bringing the light of Christ to the world!