The Parable of the Test Takers

 The Parable of the Test Takers

And it came to pass in the season appointed by the State of Indiana that the day of the Great Reading Test was at hand.

And the seventh graders were gathered together in one place, each bearing his test ticket, his iPad, and his pencil, yea, even paper also.

And the Teacher lifted up her voice with much encouragement, saying, Fear not, for thou art capable, and the students began.

But behold, the first student, when he saw the multitude of words set before him, was sore afraid.

And straightway he shut down in his spirit, and began to click rapidly through the pages, saying within himself, This is too hard; I can never do it. 

And thus he failed before he had even begun.

And behold, a second student labored diligently for a season, even for fifteen minutes.

But thereafter his focus departed from him, and his pencil suffered greatly, being torn asunder into shards of metal and sawdust.

And when the Teacher drew near and whispered gently, What aileth thee?

He answered with a rueful smile, I have lost my focus.

And the Teacher smiled upon him and spake words of wisdom and strange sayings, reminding him to return again to the task, day by day, mile by mile, lack of deodorant notwithstanding.

And he was encouraged, and he began again.

And behold, a third student lifted up his voice in whistling, and cast objects toward his neighbors, rather than face the labor of decoding.

And the Teacher removed the instruments of distraction and said unto him, It is no sin to know not every word; do thou read the ones thou canst.

And he drew a deep breath, and with a smile, he also began again.

And behold, there were many students who used their strategies wisely.

One used the highlighter, that he might not lose his place.

Another took notes with her pencil, that she might understand what was required of her.

And yet another covered her ears, that the noises of others might not steal away her focus.

And the Teacher, seeing some who were tempted to give up or to trouble their neighbors, reminded them, saying, Every student is given his own pace.

And when the test seemed long and wearisome, she bade them rise up and stretch, and then sit again, and begin anew—each page a fresh start.

And in the fullness of time, the Teacher brought forth fruit snacks, yea, unto those whose iPads were prepared and fully charged.

But lo, many had come with batteries of seventy percent, or twelve percent, or even two.

And chargers were provided, and desks were moved closer unto the outlets, that each might have a fair chance to show his understanding.

And the Teacher reminded them, saying, Seek not perfection, for it shall not be achieved this day. Seek rather growth and better understanding.

And when all had finished, most felt peace concerning their efforts.

But the one who had quit before he began was downcast in spirit.

And the Teacher held him after class, and they communed together concerning the hardships of reading.

And she said unto him, Thou didst give up on thyself, didst thou not?

And he nodded his head, and whispered, Because it was hard.

Then the Teacher gently prompted, Look upon me. I will not give up on thee; but thou must also not give up on thyself.

And they practiced reading together, and she reminded him of the skills that dwelt within him.

And he was encouraged, and he thanked his Teacher, and went on his way.

And the Application Thereof

And thus it is with us in our own striving to follow the gospel of Jesus Christ.

For we also are given lessons, yea, sometimes daily, and not all are easy to read nor quick to understand.

And some, when they behold the commandments, are discouraged before they begin, saying, This is too hard; I can never become such as He requires.

And others labor for a season, yet grow weary and lose their focus.

And some are tempted to distract themselves and others, rather than face the stretching of their souls.

But behold, there are those who use the tools given unto them—prayer, scripture, repentance, and quiet perseverance—and they press forward, doing the part they can, even when they understand not all things.

And the Master Teacher is Jesus Christ.

He standeth patiently in the room, moving distractions aside, supplying strength where batteries are low, and inviting us again and again to begin anew.

He seeketh not perfection in a single sitting, but growth, understanding, and a willing heart.

And when we are weary, He biddeth us rise and be refreshed.

And when we feel unprepared, He draweth us nearer unto the power of His grace.

And when we have given up on ourselves, He remaineth.

And He saith unto us, I will not give up on thee; therefore, give not up on thyself.