Wednesday, September 6, 2017

"Is Life a Test?" - Pastor Cindy's Devotional - September 6, 2017



Hello, friends!

I admit it—I am an easy target for personal preference quizzes in magazines.  Do you know what I am talking about?  These are the articles that have a catching headline like “What’s your Cooking IQ?” or “Decorating Diva or Cabin Queen, what sort of decorating is right for you?” or “Choosing a Pet that fits your lifestyle.”  And then the headline is followed by a series of questions. The reader answers the questions, adds up the score, and discovers that they are rookies in the kitchen, love French Country design, and would be happiest with a gerbil. 

So today the midweek devotion is a personal preference quiz.  Just answer the four questions below:

  1. Name three people who have made a real difference in your life. 
  2. Describe what is tugging at your heart right now. 
  3. If you could make one change in the world, what would you do? 
  4. What is the first step to the change you describe above? 

Now that you have finished the quiz above, here’s my personalized assessment of your answers:

Boy, people sure have made a difference in your life!  Thank the three people you listed.  The best way to thank them is by making a difference in someone else’s life.  Look around.  Who needs your encouragement? 

Re-examine the tugging at your heart.  Perhaps it is God tugging at you to do something to change the situation. 

Write the one change you would like to see on a small piece of paper and put it in your pocket.  Carry it around today. 

Take the first step. 

Congratulations!  You passed the quiz.  Wow, you seem to be a person with a good heart!  I was so impressed by your responses, I have already prayed for you. 

A few years ago I took a test like this with a bit more teeth in it.  It was an assessment of my level of racial bias.  It was created at Harvard University as part of their Project Implicit which looks at how we perceive and judge.  (Google “Project Implicit” to learn more.)  The results shocked me.  This link will take you to the test I took:  https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/user/agg/blindspot/indexrk.htm.

Is life a test?  I don’t think so.  I do think it is a journey and along the way we discover how to love those we journey with and which path we should follow.  A test from time to time is a good way to reset our GPS. 

Blessings, 

Pastor Cindy

Pastor Cindy Hickman
West Des Moines United Methodist Church
720 Grand Avenue
West Des Moines Iowa 50265
Like us on Facebook or visit us at wdmumc.org

This week at West Des Moines United Methodist Church—


Wednesday Night Live starts tonight!  Good food, games, and fun together.  Supper begins at 5:30.  Come early at 5 and enjoy a cup of coffee!

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