Lately I have been working in the quality control department at work. It’s not really what I want to do, but with a small work load the experience will be very useful. There are many task that are performed to ensure the quality of our product. One of the task is to perform a test to determine the strength of the concrete poured. This helps to ensure the safety of the worker who will soon be handling the pieces. I think that this process could also relate to life.
To test the strength a cylinder is made from a sample of the fresh concrete. After it has cured the proper amount of time the cylinder is placed under a load until it fails. The amount of pressure applied when the cylinder yields reveals the strength of the concrete. That strength might be compared to our character and the pressure to temptation. The point when a person yields to temptation reveals the persons true character. This can also relate to a persons safety.
When the yield point is lower there is a greater risk of danger. Sometimes that danger might physical, but many times it is emotional. Guilt, regret, and broken relationships can all be results of yielding to sin. Temptation is common to everyone, but some see to face it better than others. How about you, when the pressures of life take aim, do you crumble under the load? Are you able to face extremes and remain solid? Most people have some area in which they are strong and others where they fail.
How do we get to a point where we spend more time in the strong areas? The answer comes from looking at what is being tested. The reason the test is in place is to determine quality. So if a lack of quality is found it can be corrected so failure is avoided. In our lives there are several ways to increase our personal quality. That is done by study of the bible and prayer. It is also done by spending quality time with good people. People who will encourage you to be better. Time spent in assuring you person quality will be well spent.
The time invested will allow you to with stand the pressures of temptation. One interesting observation I have made while spending time in the quality control department is extra effort always pays off. When everything is done right test cylinders will often have enough strength to exceed the pressure the machine can provide. They reach the limits and are still unharmed. Are following God so that when temptation is pushed to the limits you will still be standing?
