Growth through Trials

I just received my third CPA exam score and unfortunately, I scored a 73 (75 is a passing score). I passed the first two sections (out of 4) first shot. God has been preparing me to receive this score throughout the entire process. My immediate reaction as I checked the score online in my office this morning was to slam my fist on the desk. I was not sure if it was because I was upset that I failed or because I was so darn close. Either way, the perspective that God has shared with me through this is from Proverbs 24:16 "for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity." I need to pick my self up and get on my horse.

Taking the CPA exam this year has been a grueling process. It has been hard on me and on Jen. Our lives have both been so focused on doing whatever is needed in order to set me up to pass this exam. We have grown weary, but we press on. God has taught us so much about the covenant of marriage and how to persevere together through hard times and lean on each other. I am thankful for the opportunity to become a CPA. It is a position that millions of less fortunate people around the world would line up for the opportunity to obtain.

It seems that I am running a mile a minute trying to manage my time with God, my wife, my studies, my job, my relaxation and my friends. Life can seem so overbearing at times. I want to get done with this process so badly, and so quickly. God is stretching me. I am reminded of a tweet from Pastor Rick Warren had this past week: "No one cares how quickly Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel". The truth is even though the process seems like forever to finish, I should not look at it as a sprint. I can only go at the pace that God allows me. There is no rush. The speed in which I finish won't matter in the end, all that matters is that God's plan was accomplished and that He will be glorified. It's like a runner who runs a race on a hilly course. Some stretches of the course are painful when traveling uphill, others are easier to coast on when headed downhill. It is time to turn my focus to the marathon mentality.

Galatians 2:20 (NIV) "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

I do not take credit for accomplishments in my life. Therefore, I will not be responsible for failures.

Philippians 3:14 "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

I am thankful to God for the opportunity to learn more about my dependence on Him through this trial. He calls all of us to trials at certain points in our lives. Everything is a learning experience for me.

Thank you to everyone for your prayers and support. I love you all.