Movin On Up?
During my senior year in college, having completed all of my required coursework, but needing a few more credits, I enrolled in a (self) Directed Study Course. The student picks the subject within their major field of study, does exhaustive research and writes the conclusion in a white paper. Later, in graduate school I learned that the development of a master’s thesis has a similar approach. After my work was done and the paper submitted, a review board of qualified professors was organized and I was invited to defend my chosen thesis. Such a defense includes justification of the conclusion. After several grueling hours of cross examination, I was challenged with the biggest surprise of the semester. I was told to grade my work. Before I could suggest a grade, with those past hours etched painfully in the deepest crevasses of my mind, I was asked a single question. “Given the 3 months which you’ve been given, is there any possibility that you could have done more exhaustive research, written a cleaner, more definitive conclusion or been better prepared for this boards final review of your chosen thesis”? Their question was much larger than the thesis I had labored over.
“But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.” (1 Corinthians 11:31, 32 ESV). It’s been quite a few years since that faculty question was posed to me, yet it’s as clear in my mind today as it was in my ears back then. Those were thoughtful members of a very credible faculty group. In other words, no BS would be considered. Judging oneself, in front of a greater trust of knowledge can be humbling or even crippling for an honest human being. Of course I could have done more, done better, prepared more fully. Anyone who believes differently is seriously kidding themselves. Regardless of the time spent, the effort recorded, the relative brilliance of outcome or conclusion, our best work pales in comparison to God’s simplest thoughts. Yet God, through His Holy Spirit watches over our self assessments and if we let Him, corrects our course thus preparing us for that final review which might be necessary down the road someday. “For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.” (1 Corinthians 4:4 ESV). No matter how good or bad we think we are, our Lord will shine a brighter light on our life thesis. I don’t know about you, but I really, really want to pass this course to matriculate.
JC Calkins with COMMON SENSE 4 UNCOMMON PEOPLE (sharing)
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