As is typically the case, our life group study was quite beneficial to me (and I hope others). Shawn did a very nice job leading us through James 1:21-25, which has its focus on two responses to God's word. On the one hand, we can look at the word casually, not taking it to heart, and reap the reward of...well...not much. On the other hand, if we look intently into the word, we can see ourselves, our world, and God in a whole new manner and so be prepared for life as Jesus' disciples well. After discussing the text for over an hour, Shawn asked one final question, which went something like this: Knowing the benefits of really engaging with God's word, what would help all of us look into it more intently? One of our group members (Ammie, a full time chiropractic student) summed it up this way:

We just need to think of more days as test day. On test days you study differently because you really need to know, understand and apply what you're reading.

I love the wisdom in that statement! It's true, on test days students just study differently, more intently. Now think about life. Isn't every single day a test day? Each day we'll be tested as we meet people in need, love our imperfect family members or friends, resist the materialistic presuppositions of our culture, and struggle to put God in his rightful place in our lives. Since each day brings its own trouble, I'm so glad that we have God's word through which he prepares us for the tests ahead (Luke 6:40; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). To comment or ask a question, follow this link.