Last week I finally caught up with my little sister, Wilma, who lives several hours away from us. She was born on the eighth birthday of my twin brother Roger and me. Admittedly, at eight years old, I was more interested in my Davy Crockett coonskin cap than I was in a little sister.
My niece had arranged a surprise meeting at a restaurant, and we had a great time catching up. Wilma also brought a box of pictures and clippings Roger and I had sent from Vietnam and other duty stations, as well as some childhood memorabilia. Then it got ugly. I found a copy of my eighth-grade report card!
If eighth graders had voted on who was “least likely to succeed,” that might have been the only thing I would have won in my early childhood! The only reason Mr. Balmer promoted me was so he didn’t have to deal with me for another year.
The good news is that God can work with people like me. There’s a reason the Apostle Paul told the Corinthian believers, “Not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth” (1 Corinthians 1:26, ESV).
Successful people have a hard time seeing their need for Jesus. “Claiming to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:22, ESV). “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6, ESV). When we put our meager abilities into the hands of the King of Heaven, like the loaves and fishes, He can multiply it in ways you never imagined.
In the end, the only report card that is going to count is the one King Jesus holds. It will be his grade on how I used what He gave me that will count when I stand before Him. God isn’t interested in my GPA. It will be a simple “Pass” or “Fail” grade. The “Pass” will result in hearing Him say, “Enter into the joy of thy Lord” (Matthew 25:21, KJV). The “Fail” will result in only hearing, “Truly, I say to you, I do not know you” (Matthew 25:12, ESV).
I’m thankful for the grace of God that will allow me to pass the final exam. If only Mr. Balmer could see me now!
What say ye, Man of Valor?
Semper Fidelis!
