Test Your Equipment

Testing your equipment is very important when on our faith walk. Even when things seem so easy and without any problems, it can change in an instant. When caught off guard because of a testing we can respond in different ways. If not ever tested, we might respond in a way that takes us further away from God, and it can make our faith seem more hypothetical than real. But when tested, and we turn to God in faith, He refines our faith to make us a more complete follower of Jesus. Make sure the refining process draws you near to God, and you will realize that God is taking you to a whole new level in your faith walk. Diamonds are formed under great pressure and heat. The only difference between a diamond and a piece of coal is the pressure they have endured. God has equipped us to be diamonds, and His testing process morphs us into diamonds in our faith. He gives us the perfect equipment to handle the pressure and enables us to come out a diamond.

James 1:2-3 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

When I see these people jump off a cliff with their wingsuits on and fly, the first thing I see them do is make sure their suit is in good working order, and they do a very extreme equipment check before they do their controlled fall. Every zipper has to be in place and working, along with every part of the wings that lift them. They know that when they jump off, it is too late to check it then, and death is the end result. God always has a plan for our "good," and trusting Him is a huge step forward in our faith walk. Peter said it this way in 1 Peter 5:¹⁰ In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. ¹¹ All power to him forever! Amen.

The Pilgrimage Continues,

David Warren