I have been reminiscing on some of the tests I have taken over the years.  There have not been that many but there have been some.  Along with my Senior certificate I have a Batchelor in Chistian ministries and a Cert. 4 in project management.
I did go to uni for a brief while, but I pulled out of that.  The best thing about uni. was the fish sandwiches of a lunch time.  To me they were unforgettable.
I applied for a job when I decided to give up uni. and I got an interview.  I was told by the interviewer that I got the interview as I was the only one who knew how to write a letter.   I did not get the job however as I did not have a drivers licence.  I had a motorcycle licence, but not a car licence and it was essential for the work to be done.
As I say I have been thinking about the tests I have done.  Things were so different in those days and in Townsville.  I do remember going for a larger bike licence.  I was not real sure of the written test and I was the last to finish.  When I handed it in the policeman did a quick scan of it and said, “looks alright to me” and we went to the driving part of the test.  There were about 5 of us.  Only one person failed.  He ran out of petrol during the test.
On the whole I have been pretty good with tests and ready for most.  Though I was talked out of giving up the Cert 4.  I was really glad I was, and in the time available I studied hard and passed.
I will never forget one test I did.  It was a book we were supposed to have read and known about.  I had not read it.  But at the time I was reading another book called “how to develop a superpower memory.”  I decided I would use the principles I had learned from that.  I determined each chapter title contained the main thought of the chapter. So in keeping with what I had learned I made ridiculous associations between chapters to enable me to remember the titles.  The lecturer whispered to me later I had topped the class in that exam.
Sounds bad but those things were the exception and not the rule.  Mostly I did what I was supposed to and did well.  I do think the day are over where I do formal study for a piece of paper.  Though I have learned never to say never.

To me Bob Dylan was more than a folk singer entertainer plucked from obscurity and with a voice that gives us all hope.  Even when singing songs that were not his own, I feel he had often something worth saying.  I am thinking in particular when he sang “you gotta serve somebody.”
Never before have I seen such a distinction between right and left in politics.  Yet to me that fails to define the times.  To me right now there seems to be a war between good and evil.  As the ad I have referred to before says “there is good in bad people and bad in good people. 
It is my contention that no side of politics will provide a saviour.  While either side of politics can do what they consider good, the bottom line for me is no created being can provide eternal salvation.  It seems to me things are coming to a head.
Why would I think that?  Means are available now to wipe out humanity.  Good intentions would say that will never happen, but I do not trust us.  Our track record is not good. 
Never before has sudden destruction been so easy to rain down on the unsuspecting. No sooner does one nation unveil a weapon then others try to counter it.  Yet out of the blue comes another weapon that renders all obsolete and can blow me away – literally.  I have no idea I am a target until I am hit.
This does sound like a doom and gloom scenario and it is, but it does end well.  It is where Bob Dylan’s words ring in my ears.  It is all in seeing the world not as a battle between right and left but between good and evil.  Evil cannot overcome evil.  Only good can do that.
Things are different for me these days.  Every morning I wonder what tragedy or injustice has occurred over night.  Periods of quiet are becoming fewer and calamity is occurring more often.
Yet I live in hope.  It is a hope born of knowing all this was possible, yet all this will reach its natural conclusion.  Good is working behind the scenes and will step in when we have shown what we are capable of.

I ask myself, “which is more important, the title or the role?”
I will not denigrate the importance of a title.  Often others have studied hard to get a title.  I think of doctors.  Often there has been years of study and a dedication to knowing what is what, and to do what is best.
Yet a title alone does not make someone an expert.  I assess a person and decide if they are an expert, not based on what they know alone, but what they know and do.
I do not know why we say it but it seems perfect to me.  There are “trappings” and perks that go with a title. Maybe it entitles someone to sit with or near to other dignitaries.  Maybe it gives access to power. 
Yet the word “trappings” to me seems so appropriate.  It can be, and I have seen it, that some are “trapped” by the perks that may go with a role rather than the role itself. Knowledge unapplied is easily misdirected. It is very sad to see someone trained to assist, who cannot assist, as what is required (no matter how straight forward) is beyond their experience (this is not talking about a progression of learning and doing, but a learning already received but deliberately never applied.)
I can never set my self up to say ,“I would never do that,” because quite frankly I could do that.  To me it matters that none of us think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think.  I reckon all roles matter and none is more important than another.
It is true that some roles are more consequential than others.  But all are necessary to complete a desired outcome. A general may make more impactful decisions, but a foot soldier is just as necessary.  As is the one feeding both.  All are required if a war is to be won.
It matters to me that no matter the title and role I may have, that I learn and do it well.  I am responsible for my corner of the field.  I strive to be the best I can be.  I do my part as hopefully others do, and a desirable outcome is achieved.