One of best things about December is winter break.  School is finally out, and Christmas is just around the corner!  Winter break means that the year is half over, and mid-term reports will be coming soon. (dun dun duhhhn!)  I love seeing my grades and reading comments from my teachers, because I know that I’ve succeeded in my work; some people, however, dread the proof that they haven’t met the teacher’s requirements.

Mid-term grades are definitely important, but think now about a different kind of grade.  You’re at the half-way mark of your year at school, at work, or at home.  Consider the grades you would receive if The Ultimate Teacher, God, issued mid-term reports.  The course title is “Living for Christ 101.”  The Teacher will be grading you on “Faithfulness in God’s Word,” “Love for Others,” and “Fervency in Sharing the Gospel.”  He’ll also include comments about your Thoughts and Attitudes.  How would your “first semester” rate?  I know that I would definitely not have straight A’s or probably even B’s.  This is a problem!

God has strategically placed us to shine as lights for Him, but too often we forget our goal of glorifying God.  We “don’t have time” to sit and learn from our Teacher; we’re “too busy” to love selflessly; and we are scared to share God’s love with those around us.  Our thoughts and attitudes are selfish, self-focused, and self-serving.

“Now wait a second,” you argue.  “I have my devotions pretty regularly; I think about other people; I’ve told some friends about God.  You’re making us sound like flunkies – I’m doing well at least 75% of the time!”  All that may be completely true…but a 75% is a C (and sometimes a D!!)  Why are we satisfied with a C?  Shouldn’t we be doing A+ work for our LORD and Savior?  We should be pouring ourselves into others – sharing Christ with the lost.  We should constantly be seeking to serve others, not ourselves.  And honestly, I was being generous.  I don’t think many of us can truly say that we live whole-heartedly for Christ 75% of the time.  Surely we can do better for our Master and our King.

Mid-term reports can be depressing for some, but they always offer hope. “Mid-term” means that we still have half the year to improve!  We can buckle down and get serious about studying.  Likewise, Christians, we have another “semester” to live for Christ.  We can choose to get serious about living for Christ every moment of our lives.  I’m ready to raise my grade – how about you?

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