I was to test for my next Karate belt in a few short days. At my last class before testing a fellow student watched me review my one steps, forms, defenses as well as my hands and feet combinations.
"I feel like I've got this but at the same time I hope I remember everything." I confided.
He said, "I know what you mean." He went on, "It's funny because I feel like I know so much as I prepare for testing. I'm confident on test day, but after I promote up and start to work on the next belt level, I am immediately reminded of how much I do not know and how much more there is to learn. It all starts again."
The reality of that one statement sent my mind on a journey. When are we ever in a place where we know everything there is to know? God prepares us for each season so that we can perform the duties and tasks of the present belt around our waist with the ability to confidently promote up to the next. By staying focused and dedicated to mastering the requirements, the present belt's completion will end with a culmination of one belt and the beginning of another. The learning process starts again.
When test day came I felt ready. "I've got this!" Confidence seemed to beam from my every pore while another part of me didn't want to mess up. "I hope I remember everything." Most of the elements I had repeated a number of times and the delivery felt natural. One element I had only recently learned but it was fresh in my mind. I knew what was going to be asked of me and I was ready!
As the testing began I performed each task. Until a weaponry defense was asked of me that I had not yet learned. My partner went first and performed perfectly. I couldn't believe that I was being tested on something I had not learned. I did the best I could to copy what my partner had done before me, relying on the awareness I had gained from my training. After the test I stood up tall, hoping that the one unknown element would not make everything else I knew and worked so hard for stand for nothing.
My name was called. I approached my Sensei.
"Congratulations." I was presented with a new belt.
"What an accomplishment," I thought.
Then the moment was flavored with new information. Before the promotion had a chance to set in, my Sensei gave a summary of what I would be required to learn and achieve while wearing my new belt. "You will have new forms, kicks, weaponry..."
As I listened I realized my moment of excitement seemed brief. I held everything I needed to know just a moment ago. In a matter of minutes I was being told of new things I would be required to master. There was work to be done!
"Always a student," I thought. "No room for a cocky know-it-all attitude. Not in training, nor in testing, and especially not when promoting up."
After the promotion I took pictures and was congratulated but in the back of my mind I knew that with the new belt also came new challenges, additional layers of knowledge and a new set of requirements that must be achieved.
Life is full of promotions. Walking into High School for the first time, getting a first job, getting married, or my latest promotion, becoming a mom of a middle schooler. God's training and our preparations include all kinds of elements. Many times we are not even aware that what we are learning is related to a promotion, but it usually is. The testings are rarely a predictable experience. Rather they always seem to contain some unknowns. Promotions bring excitement and joys flavored with the knowledge of new challenges and amazing life lessons to come.
When I look at past belts, I am excited at all God has achieved in and through me. It reminds me of God's faithfulness, how I can trust His training in my life to see me through every test, and if I can get past those belts then surely I can master all that is involved in wearing the next.
