Passing the Homeless Alien Test

Suggested Reading: James 1:1-8

The classic Sci-Fi television series Farscape was about John Crichton, a human astronaut who got sucked through a wormhole and discovered himself in a distant part of the universe surrounded by strange life-forms. In one particular episode, he encountered a wormhole that allowed him to return to Earth, something he had been searching for since the day he got sucked away from home. He returned through the wormhole and was followed by some of his alien friends. While some people handled the aliens' arrival well, most did not. One of his friends was killed and dissected. The others were all locked in cages until he was forced to escape. Eventually, John noticed that some of the details didn't add up. Apparently, John had never returned to Earth, but an alien species which was looking for a new home had been testing humanity through John's memories to see Earth would be a suitable home for them. Humanity didn't pass the test, although John himself did.

Quite often, we encounter tests without realizing that we are being tested. James wrote, "May you be led to every kind of joy, my brothers, when you face many kinds of trials, knowing that the proving of your faith produces endurance." (James 1:2-3, SPT*). While James went on to talk about how our trials can serve to mature us, he takes for granted what we can easily forget: trials and temptations are tests of faith. We tend to do better on tests when we know we are taking them. We often make better decisions when we know people are watching us and grading us on those decisions. Trials and temptations are the same way, but we often fail to recognize them for what they are: a test of faith.

How we handle a trial, how we view the trial, changes when we realize that our faith is being tested. When we realize that the ultimate decision is whether to trust our God or follow our own desires and wisdom, we normally find the trials and temptations easier to navigate than when we simply ask, "How should I handle this?" When we're tempted to provide for ourselves in less than honest ways, recognizing the decision as a test of faith clarifies which course of action we should take. When we face a situation so difficult we are tempted to give up, viewing it as a test of faith helps us discover the resolve to continue.

Whatever trials or temptations you may be facing, remember that they are tests of your faith. Sometimes just remembering that can help you pass the test.

*Stickler's Personal Translation

Hitchhikers, Floggings, and Captive Audiences

Suggested Reading: Matthew 10:11-20

When I was in college and living the single life, I noticed a pattern whenever I would make the three hour drive from college to my parents's house. Quite regularly, I would see someone on the side of the road who was asking for a ride. So I would stop, figure out where they were headed, get the best feel I could for how much danger I would be in, and give them a ride down the road. I discovered that these times gave me an excellent opportunity to share the Gospel with people. For one, they were something of a captive audience because they needed a ride and I had a car. But they were also willing to listen to what I had to say because they needed a ride and I had stopped for them.

Speaking about very different circumstances, Jesus told his disciples of some opportunities they would have to share the Gospel. But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me (Matthew 10:17-18, NLT).  In these circumstances, Jesus was telling his disciples that their trials and beatings would be opportunities to share the Gospel.

In both sets of circumstances, the Gospel would find fertile soil, and for much the same reason: people wanted to listen to what you said. In my case, people wanted to listen because I met a need they had. In the example Jesus gave, people wanted to listen in order to investigate charges and mete out justice. But in both cases, people would listen and ponder the Gospel as it was presented to them.

Hopefully, you won't have to go to jail, but you will experience circumstances where people, for one reason or another, will be very interested in what you have to say. Watch for those opportunities when people are willing to listen. Create those opportunities by giving people reason to listen to you. And, whatever your circumstances, remember that God will reach out to people through you if you allow God to do so. Don't let those moments when people are receptive to you slip away.

Whenever people are listening to you or watching you, use the opportunity to point them toward Jesus. Who knows? That hitchhiker or judge may be ready to hear exactly what you have to say