No one will ever travel through this earthly plane without tests. To look forward to a time without tests is “to dream the impossible dream.” The more logical approach then would be determination to learn how to meet, accept and even welcome the challenge of tests, that come in may forms and varieties.
Among Webster’s many definitions of the word test, we find: a critical examination, observation or evaluation; a process that will lead to the proof or disproof, acceptance or rejection of any given thing or theory, or a means of measuring skill, knowledge, intelligence, capacities, etc. in fact the big 3-A’s (aptitude, attitude and altitude) are all most effectively measured by tests. Simply put, tests are the primary means by which fitness is measured. One cannot pass from one academic level to another without tests; neither from any state of existence to a higher one without tests. Such, perhaps is the increasing degree of tests currently being inflicted upon a fast maturing mercenary society yet in its spiritual infancy.
A primary example is the previous election of an African American president for the first time by the citizens of the United States that clearly marked an important new stage in the social evolution of the American people. But intensifying test will prove that true justice; equality, respect and unity are gar from being fully realized. “The roots of racial prejudice are old, deep and widespread,” we are reminded by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States. “No single victory, political or otherwise, however groundbreaking, is sufficient to remove conditions so intractable and institutionalized.”
How severe will be the increasing tests of resistance to, and open disrespect for our nation’s highest elected office and its Commander-in-Chief. Observe also the systematic trend of Re-segregation of city public schools (i.e. society) throughout the nation and especially within our own city limits.
The difference between whether tests advance us spiritually or destroy us is this, we are forewarned in the Baha’i Holy Writings: “If when we have a test we turn to our lower (animal) nature in response it will destroy us. If we turn to God and work through our higher (spiritual) nature, that test will be a source of spiritual strength.”
My mother always told us, “ Fighting is the way unintelligent people settle differences.” So, too is war the way spiritually immature nations settle differences – creating a series of ultimate tests.
“When a thought of war comes, oppose it with a stronger thought of peace. A thought of hate must be destroyed by a more powerful thought of love,” we fid in the Baha’i Holy Writings.
Investigate!
