Contemporary Worship Music Team - Resurrection Lutheran Church
Monticello, MN
March 24, 2008 - Jason
The following content came through my email today in a newsletter.
It really struck a chord with me - with where I have been struggling
recently. It is so easy to grade ourselves on a curve.
Hopefully you find this as applicable as I did...
Christian-Weekly-Devotion
1561 - cwd *Grading on the Curve*
For Week of March 24, 2008
Volume 8 Number 13
Today’s Author: Pastor Bill
Tenth grade Geometry had its challenges. We took a test early in the year and our teacher enthusiastically retuned our papers with red marks all over them. As my paper was plopped on my desk a big red “58” was scrawled over the top. In pure embarrassment I shuffled the paper under a book so no one would see I got 58 points out of possible 100.
The teacher then addressed the class and in so doing introduced us to “grading on the curve.” It seems that the standard had changed. I thought my work was judged based on how well I did vs. a perfect score of 100. As it turned out my 58 was the highest score in the class based on how well I did vs. others in the class --- based on the curve I received an “A”.
By the time I got home with my paper in hand I was a little puffed up about my accomplishment. Things like best in the class, highest score and I got an “A” on the test rang in my ears. Then my mom stepped in, “In life no one is going to grade you on the curve, go study, you can do much better than that.”
Wow, did that bust my bubble!
As time marched on mom was right. When I went to work for a living my accomplishments were not judged on a curve. When I needed a loan for a house my income was not judged based on the accomplishments of all those who held a mortgage at that bank! And when I received Jesus as my Savior I was not received into the kingdom based on a percentage of who make it.
Grading on the curve may have a place in what we do at times in life but when it comes to the Kingdom of God there is only one way to pass the test. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Pure and simple it is the grace of God that allows me entrance into the kingdom.
Prayer: Father thank you for making a way for even me to enter your kingdom. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!