Pre-Test

 

As a doctor, I’m required to take continuing education courses to help maintain my skills. Many of these courses have a pre-test to assess your knowledge level prior to taking the course. I guess it’s my pride, but I’ve never liked doing those. I feel bad if I score poorly even though I know that there wouldn’t be any reason to take the course if I already knew the information.

 

The beginning of the year is a good time for making resolutions. We can turn the page on the old year and start over.  We can ask the Spirit to guide us in our resolutions for the new year and for help in keeping them. If you’re unsure about making any resolutions or what they should be, perhaps you can take a pre-test. Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, gave them goals for living that we can use as our pre-test to see where we are as we start this new year.

 

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity…..Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…..And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col 3:12-14, 16, 17).

 

May you have a happy and blessed New Year!