Skipping Class

Psalm 25:4 Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths.

When I was growing up we didn’t have a whole lot of money. I knew that in order to attend college, I would need a scholarship. Consequently, the last semester of my senior year when everyone else was having fun and goofing off, I was studying. I managed to finish as Valedictorian – which earned me a full scholarship.

Because I knew I had to maintain my grade point average in order to keep my scholarship, I rarely skipped class. I figured out how much each class cost, so I knew how much money I was wasting if I did skip. Most of my friends in college skipped class. And not just one class, lots of them. They paid a great price to attend class, but they didn’t seem to care. Many of them did just what they had to do to get by. Most were concerned with having fun, looking good, and making friends. Classes didn’t seem to be at the top of the list.

One class in particular students deemed “unimportant” was University 101. This class introduced freshmen to college. It helped in their adjustment by pointing out pitfalls and dangers they might encounter living life on their own while guiding them to a successful future.

It occurred to me this same phenomenon happens in our Christian lives. Many times we are so busy having fun, looking good, and making friends we skip class with the Master Teacher. We are not studying “the Book”. Consequently, we are not passing the test. We are just doing what we have to do to get by.

Christ offers to show us the pitfalls and dangers we are sure to encounter. He guarantees to help us succeed if we will but apply ourselves and learn what He has to share. Christ is teaching Kingdom Life 101, but we are skipping class. The saddest part is we are not considering the price paid. Christ died on a cross, was buried, and rose again so that we could have a full paid scholarship into the Kingdom. We just need to be present when He calls the roll and not get caught skipping class.

Lord, help me to be more aware of the price you paid for my attendance. Forgive me when I skip my time with you. Draw me closer. Create in me an open heart to receive the lessons you want to teach. Amen.